Charity

"For the judgment is merciless to one who has not shown mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,' but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:13-17)

"[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you." (Matt 6:1­4)

I hear so much talk about the haves and the have-nots, the government's role and the role of the private sector but as everyone is talking I wonder if anyone is actually listening or even more, thinking?

God created the world with enough resources to go around. God intended that the world’s resources benefit all creation. It is our responsibility that we don’t claim so much that others have little or nothing. Sharing is a matter of justice. Charity, or love of neighbor, requires that the goods of the earth be available for everyone to use in a reasonable way.

I hear about churches raising funds or having food drives but it seems many are more willing to give funds for the new parking lot than for the poor. Even worse in my own field it makes me cringe when I hear that those who can't afford their medications should be allowed to suffer or even die. I don't try to make excuses for those who make poor life choices like dropping out of school, or overeating or smoking or consuming too much alcohol. However, Christ called us individually, not the government or churches collectively, to live a life of charity as charity equates with love and love of neighbor is second only to love of God. I hope to start volunteering at the free clinic here whenever my SC med license finally arrives. We are too blessed as a nation to let the poor or hungry starve on our streets.