Mom and I had a discussion last night about being generous and how people use their money. One of the people we talked about was a particular person who I feel is pretty awful. Seeing or thinking about him makes my blood boil and my stomach turn. He took advantage of my mom in a situation where she was broken and hurting - that equates to awful in my book. Anyways, as awful as he may be, he's incredibly generous. Anything we needed, he was there. Whether it was for the correct motives or not, there were times we wouldn't have gotten through without his help.
On the other hand, there is my father. He is, seemingly, a good person. He does what he is supposed to do, says what he is supposed to say, and would never step out of line (trust me, the rules are the rules, you don't break them under any circumstance). Yet, he is just about the least generous person I know. He thinks that by doing his job he is helping people. I seem to disagree, if you're getting paid a substantial amount for something, you're not exerting too much to help anyone. I see giving as a selfless act, something that doesn't give you a paycheck at the end of the week. Asking my father to do anything (more recently, cosign on my car loan, to which he declined) is like asking for his first born. It seriously kills him to help anyone, especially financially. He has to make sure he gets his and no one else gets something they don't deserve.
This is pretty infuriating. Why is it that someone who portrays everything I stand against is so giving to people in need? Yet someone who tries to embody all that is "Christian" wouldn't think twice about seeing someone in need and walking right by. Have we learned absolutely nothing from the Bible? If anything, I've learned that it doesn't matter what race or religion someone is, if they need help I should help them. It's that simple. Yes, I work hard for my money, but my needs are met and some people's aren't. Why should I not do everything in my power to make sure everyone is okay? Sure, maybe I'll get taken advantage of more than once, but in the end I can say I've tried my best to help every person I encountered. That doesn't sound so bad to me.
"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" -Matthew 25:40
I know exactly what you mean...a lot of times it seems the non-Christians are more caring and generous than those who claim to be Christ-like. It's a sad world when non-Christians see no reason to be saved because they're already better than the claimed Christians.
ReplyDeleteyeah, it's not a surprise most people find Christians to be hypocritical...because we are.
ReplyDeleteOuch.
ReplyDelete