Soap Box Priorities

Why do people do without?  What is the first answer that comes to mind when you ask yourself this question?  Do you immediately blame the person doing without?  Do you automatically release yourself from all responsibility of their need?   Have you considered any other answer to your question that includes your own responsibility to their need?

There used to be a day when family stuck together through thick and thin.  They helped each other out, even if that meant doing without a frivolity or want so that the other person would have what they needed.  These families are few and far between.   On the same lines, there used to be a day when you could call a friend and state your need, with concern shown and help given.  Ha!  That rarely happens anymore either.

It makes me deeply sad and sickened that people are so consumed with their own lusts, their own wants – wants are different from needs-  and their own personal gain that they can no longer see or care about the needs around them.  You never know who around you may be doing without because they know they can’t ask for help.  They know they will be shunned and scorned.  Once someone asks for help a million times and gets turned down a million times they quit asking.   The prosperity that some people have is not given so that they may consume it of their own lusts.  It is given to help others.   This does not mean you should not drive a better car than Sally Sue, but it means you should not drive a Porsche if your sister has to walk to work, church, the doctor or the grocery store.  It does not mean you should not eat steak while they eat beans but it does mean they should not be hungry while you chow down on Filet Mignon.  In my experience, those who have the least give the most and those who have the most give the least.  This is a general statement, not meant to include everyone, but includes most.  The reason so many do without is because so many retain the wealth they are given.  It is not our responsibility to judge the needs of others as viewed through our faulty human eyes.

I am acquainted with several people who have real needs and are part of families who have the wealth by which to relieve them of some of their problem, if not all,  yet it does not happen.   To whom much is given much is required. 

When is the last time you helped someone because you could?  When is the last time you gave something to someone while you “sacrificed” your extras?   What have you done to make an impression on those around you, so that they know they can count on you?  Not everyone can give and not everyone should give, BUT those who can should help out when, where, and what they can. 

For a scriptural backing of these thoughts see these verses, preferably  in the King James Bible.

Acts 4: 32 – 35 and  James 2: 15

Word of the Day 

Priority = the right to take precedence in obtaining certain supplies, services, facilities, etc., especially during a shortage.