Following Christ and Money

God's been teaching me a lot the last couple years about money and how He views it. Growing up in a family that always stresses financial security and wise investment, I have begun to change my perspective on money in the last couple of years. Where is the fine line between being wise with the money God has entrusted to us (AKA saving) and being radical with it (AKA kingdom living)? I've been asking myself these questions more and more in the last week as I have begun reading Irresistible Revolution by Shaine Claiborne (definitely recommend it!) and since my dad and I hit a deer with my car. My dad's view is to replace my car rather than spending all the money to get it fixed since my car isn't worth much more than it would cost to get it fixed. He sees it as since my car has only about another year left of good driving without taking it to the shop all the time, we might as well make a good investment and get another car, selling mine in its current condition. My view, on the other hand, is filled with questions and confusion. Since when did God entrust me with HIS money to spend on myself on something that I don't need? My car works fine, the side of it is just banged up. Who gives me the right to buy a new car for myself when there are children starving, dying of diseases, being trafficked, living without clean water, being abandoned by their families due to AIDS or a million other things? I should be using that money to reach out to them with the goal of sharing the gospel with them. Shouldn't I? Jesus told the rich young ruler that he had to sell everything he had and give it to the poor. Where's that reckless abandon in my life today? Where is it in the church today? We water down Jesus' words so much to make it fit our comfortable lifestyles. How can we twist this passage to say that we only have to keep from making money our idol? Isn't it our idol anyway if we save it for ourselves rather than giving it away to God's kingdom? I don't know. All I know is I'm happily confused and eager to figure out where I stand on this issue. At the same time, I'm in turmoil over the frustration I'm experiencing in getting my dad to see things from my point of view (or God's point of view!). I definitely do not have a peace about getting a new car. I don't want a new car. I don't want to waste that money on myself when so many others are hurting and dying without knowing Jesus. What would I say when I stood before the throne and give an account of how I used the money He entrusted to me? Please pray for me and my dad. Thanks!