Christian Property in Spain

On Christian TV this week, an attractive lady called Barbara has been filmed walking up and down Spanish promenades and local markets. She’s trying to convince the Christian community of Britain to relocate to Spain. Her properties are ‘dream homes’ found in ‘exclusive locations’. They enjoy ‘350 days of sunshine per year’ offering buyers ‘a new healthy Mediterranean climate’ and ‘passionate lifestyle’, presenting ‘new opportunities, new dreams, new life’. Barbara, with her stylish hats and large earrings, seems to be offering heaven itself. Indeed, she says as much on her website, whose greeting begins ‘welcome to paradise in southern Spain’.

I’m not sure what’s particularly Christian about these properties or their estate agency, other than some references to a gospel charity concert in a Marbella shopping mall. Perhaps Barbara is a Christian and wishes to do business with her fellow believers. In which case, I wish her well. There’s something about it though that doesn’t sit comfortably with me. My vision of ‘ex-pat’ British communities in Spain is one of bored old people, getting drunk each night on booze bought with their winter fuel allowances. Sunbathing and swimming in the pool become tedious after a few months, and there’s little else to do but drink. Of course, any Christians in such communities might have better things to do with their time and money, but what? Doubtless, there are churches for these wealthy, old folk. But should we really spend the evenings of our lives in sunny luxury, enjoying the remnants of good health in a gilded cage? If the Lord calls someone to Spain, to minister to the people there and perform His work, may he or she go with joy and all haste. Otherwise, remain in the country where you can be of most use, which is usually your own.

If you’re looking for a luxury dwelling, new dreams and a new life, wait and see what Jesus offers you when He calls you to your real home.

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11:16

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay