In looking up poverty statistics, I discovered that 15.7% of people in the county I live in are at or below the poverty level. Nearly fifteen thousand of our neighbors- men and women, children, the elderly- are impoverished. And that is just in Bradley County, Tennessee.
Upon looking at the numbers more, I determined that for every person in Bradley County who is in poverty, 5 people are not. So then I asked myself a few questions...
What are the people who are not in poverty-- about 80,000 of them total-- doing to help those who are? I am not in poverty; what am I doing to help those who are?
If five people share some of what they have with one person, wouldn't the needs, and even some wants, of all 6 be met?
I know you are probably going to call me a socialist now, but I'm really not. I have read the quote, "When I feed the poor, they call me a saint, but when I ask why the poor are hungry, they call me a communist." I'll be very clear: I do not believe the solution to the problem of poverty can be found in government-mandated redistribution of wealth. No, I believe it is much more personal than that. Imagine with me for a moment... what if people would truly turn their hearts to each other... what if people really loved their neighbors, all their neighbors, as much as they love themselves... what if people who have more than they need would voluntarily give to those who are in poverty, not out of a sense of obligation but out of love? Wouldn't we be able to make a huge dent in poverty around the world? Wouldn't we all be more in community with each other? Imagine the impact on crime, if all people's needs, and some of their wants, were met, and if people really demonstrated love and community!
Okay, now let's step out of the realm of idealism and back into reality. This is not something that we can "make" happen. Redistribution can be mandated, but love cannot. And I truly believe love is the key. Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 13; we can do all sorts of things, good things, but if we don't have love, what is it really worth? What difference does it really make?
I am not saying that I have love all figured out and perfected. I don't, not even close. But I know that I believe in it, and that I am trying. I want to love others as I love myself, and I want to encourage other people to do the same. Jesus said the kingdom of God is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a tree, or a little bit of leaven that is worked into flour until the whole thing is leavened. It's something small, but it spreads and grows rapidly and changes everything it touches. And that is how true love for our neighbors is, I think. It may start small, with just a few people, but it grows and spreads rapidly, and changes everything it touches.
Will you join me in loving others?
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