Over the past couple of months, with the birth of our fifth child, illness, and broken limbs, my wife and I have dished out an enormous amount of money to the medical community (NO! This is not going to be a post about the current health care "crisis"). While we live in a one income household (and a meager income at that) and the expenses we have could be a great concern for us, it is not.We're not concerned in part because of this...
We don't have to eat anyone else's leftovers. We do not have to worry about where our next meal is going to come from or whether or not we are going to have a roof over our head. Yes, it is difficult to do so, but all the medical bills get paid. The utilities, the mortgage, and the grocery bills get paid as well. There may not be much left over, but all of our basic needs are taken care of. I am forever grateful for that.
Issues of money and poverty are one of my passions. Before youth ministry, I came from an industry that was all about money--and making more of it. I'm not criticizing the financial services industry or financial advisors. I have nothing wrong with people planning for their future financially. It is a very smart thing to do. But the problem I have is when the pursuit of money becomes the sole focus in people's lives. I have seen the ravenous pursuit of wealth and possessions and it sickens me, particularly when I see videos like the one above.
Many people may see the video above or images of starving children in Africa and they may be moved by what they see. Some people may actually reach out and do something to help those in poor countries. But many of us look at these images and don't make the connection on a deep level. We cannot relate to what we see because it is too distant for us. As a result, although we want to help out, we don't.
However, the problem isn't just in Africa. It's not just in Asia. The problem of poverty is also in our own back yards. We don't have to go far to reach out to someone in need. It may be the homeless guy on the street. It may be a co-worker. It may be a classmate. We may not be able to do much, but we can do something--even if it is packing a lunch for the homeless man or woman you see on your way to work every day, or buying a struggling co-worker or classmate lunch from time to time.
We all can make an effort to do something. We don't have to do much (although the more we do the better). Reach out to someone in need today. Make a positive impact on the life of someone--even if it is just praying for someone who is struggling. And if you have the resources to do more, then do it. Don't worry so much about the future. Focus on the needs of others today.
