Looking at page 3 of The New York Times or the “Style” section, you’d never think there are serious problems of poverty, war, homelessness, or societal division. Contrasted with those pages are stories of the beginning Israeli action in Gaza which has stopped the flow of food aid and the use of chemical weapons by the Russians in Ukraine, not to mention stories of poverty and need throughout the world.
How do we live in a world with such opposites? How can we account for spending huge sums of money on such trivia s jewels and outfits that could stock a food pantry for a month? What is the measure of our caring in our civilization? These are serious ethical issues which sometimes we ignore.
A report of 2022 giving stated that the ultra-rich (the 400,00 persons worth $30 million or more) account for 38% of the world’s philanthropy. Over half went to education with arts and culture not far behind. The Gates Foundation Annual Letter, however, berated the wealthy for not giving enough. What we do with our money says a lot about us.
Prayer for the Day
The young rich man meeting Jesus turned away with sadness,
For he had many possessions and could not let go of them;
Although not wealthy O Lord, let us use our resources for good,
Whatever those resources are – whether money or time.
Broaden our vision, O Holy One, so we become your instruments,
Searching for ways we can be gifts to those around us.
In the name of the One who is your ultimate gift,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Life’s persistent and most urgent question is “What are you doing for others?”
Martin Luther King (1929-1968)
I have found, among other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.
Maya Angelou, poet (1928-2014)
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.
Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8