If you don't agree with me am I wrong?

Nobody asked me but…

I’m on the fringe watching conversations take place (you couldn’t do that – watch a conversation - before Al Gore invented the Internet!). Twitter and Facebook offer a lot of opportunity for expression and transparency – not always well thought out, however. Or, maybe that’s an unfair statement since I have more than 140 characters to try and make my point.

If you go back a few post you can get a little of my historical perspective. I certainly don’t wish to be taken out of context but I just find it bothersome that some people have such a narrow view that rather than asking “what did you mean by that?” or “Would you care to expand on that thought?” they simply strike – with words. In essence “you’re wrong and I’m right – end of story.”

Somewhere in “Christianity” – where, I don’t know – came a viewpoint that poor = good and rich = bad. Perhaps it was to make the destitute feel better about their financial position. Or, could it have been an effort to pick the pockets of the well off? I don’t know, I didn’t start the rumor. I’ve heard the bible misquoted to say that “Money is the root of all evil” although we all know that it actually says “The love of money is the root of all evil.” By the way, you can commit that sin without a dime in your pocket! I might also add that “rich” and “poor” seem to be moving targets – kind of like the word “fair.”

Is there a moral amount? What is it? It seems that the answer depends on who you’re talking to. One theme that seems to be consistent in the conversation is that it’s always a little higher than the income of the person you’re talking to. I find that interesting. If they make 40K that’s OK but those making 50K are pushing the limit. But, when you talk to someone making 50K, their sure to admonish you to watch out for those making 60K. It’s really hard to keep a spiritual head on your shoulders when you’re rolling in that kind of dough.

You the reader may be – probably are – more well read than I but I’ve never found anywhere in my bible a permissible number of pesos, rupees, yen, won, baht or dollars that makes me more or less acceptable to Christ. I do, however, find many principles regarding how to handle money in my bible. I’ve also found – as have many – that when I follow the principles outlined in that book life goes better than when I do it my way.

As a child I’ve been homeless for brief periods, hungry frequently and always broke (I consider “broke” a financial condition and “poor” an attitude). Growing up in this condition and in church, while the prayers and hugs and conversation were appreciated the only reason I’m able to sit and type out this note is the invitations to lunch and dinner. Those invitations came from folks who were better off financially than our household. (And, I assure you, were the physical answer to a hungry child’s prayer!) Perhaps this would be a good time to say “thank-you” to those families in Collegedale, TN. Of particular note and at the risk of leaving some out, there were the Myers, Watsons, Gerharts and Shultz’ families. (None of whom I have had contact in nearly forty years)

Those were some learning years (4th – 8th grades). In retrospect I note that I was often in their homes but they were seldom (if ever) in mine. Could it be that they were gracious enough to include me in their family events – swimming/skiing at Lake Harrison, camping, etc so I could learn things that would help me to be successful as an adult? And, perhaps they didn’t want their kids learning from me? Likewise in Denver, CO. I would never have survived my two years of high school without the similar benefits bestowed by the Olson’s and Ordelheide’s.

As an adult, when I’m doing it His way, I’ve been blessed tremendously (see my post “Giving Dangerously”). From that blessing we’ve been able to do crazy things anonymously. We’ve paid a family’s electric bills, donated room air conditioners to a heat stressed family, given more food gift cards than I remember. I like to think that maybe God has used us to be the answer to someone’s prayer the way He used others to answer mine. I do know, however, that you can’t give away something you don’t have (unless you’re congress).

With all that said, here is the quote that started the fire storm “broke people can’t help poor and hurting people.” - Dave Ramsey. Surrounding this quote was a story that added a lot of context (that would have required a lot more than 140 characters). Personally, I found the quote impactful and not designed to offend but more to inspire the people who were listening. The audience was a very large group of people who strongly desired to learn how to handle money God’s way. Might I suggest that the quote is true particularly in this regard? You may consider yourself broke by the standard against which you measure yourself but to the homeless man you take to lunch you might as well be Bill Gates.

In closing (been running my mouth and fingers way to long), God requires 100% of my prayers (...no other gods before me, pray without ceasing). He requires 10% of my resources (Not because he needs the money but because he wants my obedience. It's ALL His anyway.) What I do with the rest of it is up to me. If I spend it by Master Card's or Visa's plan I have 9% - 30% less resources to provide for my family or to be available to answer His call. Hmmm...

Nobody asked me, but…

John Godfrey Saxe may have had a pretty good handle on this when penned:

“The Blind Men And The Elephant”

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approach'd the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he,
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

MORAL.
So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!