Uncategorized patrickmead on 24 Oct 2008 04:17 pm
Helping or Hurting?
Just a couple of thoughts somewhat linked to the last post and the interest/furor it gave rise to. My favorite social commentator is Thomas Sowell. His book "The Vision of the Anointed" opened my eyes nine years ago to the harm that we often do in the name of Christian love, social justice, or charity. I have read everything he’s written since.
By the way, many who read the last blog think I’m a Republican. I would once again ask you to read a bit further back in the blogs. I am not a Republican and I’ve voted for everyone from Jimmy Carter to George Bush according to who I thought would do the least harm. I have often been wrong, by the way!
Here is a link to a 6 and a half minute video that bears watching and prayer. Proverbs warns us to help the poor but not to encourage them in their folly. This group of theologians, social leaders, ministers, and professors agree.
http://blog.acton.org/archives/2528-New-Video-Short-How-Not-to-Help-the-Poor.html
Commenting would be welcome here after watching the video and playing around on the site. Anyone read Sowell? How about John Chrystostom? His sermon on helping the poor insisted that it is a private, personal duty that is never to be put into the hands of government, never to be coerced. However, like me, he encourages individuals to give more than they can afford and to give lavishly of everything they have. Sadly, many in today’s political climate assume that those of us who do not approve of government coercion in charitable works are, themselves, stingy and ungiving. In the case of my family that is certainly not true and I believe that there are millions like us.
patrickmead
on 25 Oct 2008 at 12:39 am # Bombardier
Patrick, you are right, and I really liked the previous post. I haven’t read Sowell’s books, but I try not to miss his column in our local (Shreveport) paper, usually on Sunday. He’s a brilliant man. For example, his last column here (this time on Wednesday) begins, “Telling a friend that the love of his life is a phony and dangerous is not likely to get him to change his mind. But it may cost you a friend. It is much the same story with true believers in Barack Obama.” How true, and it got better from there.
on 25 Oct 2008 at 9:19 am # Mommynator
I’ve read both Thomas Sowell and John Chrysostom (having been brought up Greek Orthodox). They are both excellent and inspirational.
In my own experience, giving my last $5 to someone to get them to an interview (after I’ve coached them on how to speak, act and dress) is more fruitful than the taxes I pay to keep lazy people lazy. The woman I did that for eventually owned her own house and car and had other good things come to her through her own hard work.
on 25 Oct 2008 at 12:59 pm # marilyn
“I’ve voted for everyone from Jimmy Carter to George Bush according to who I thought would do the least harm. I have often been wrong, by the way!” I am in great awe over your knowledge and your ability to teach. I am very curious as to how you know now that you were wrong then. I mean, if a guy didn’t have a chance to show that he would do the least harm, how would you know? I say that with great respect for you.
on 25 Oct 2008 at 2:19 pm # Darryl
The greatest of ironies is that often the person who is helping is demonized when they come to the end of their ability to help.
Recently, we made aquaintance with a young man and his mother who are in a difficult situation. They are both disabled to one degree or another and were in a pinch. We agreed to help, fairly substantially. A few weeks later some medical issues arose and I got them some help paying for the meds. This has gone on now for a few months…little bits here and there that have added up to quite a bit of money and goods.
I told them the other day that we weren’t going to be able to do anymore. I got a nasty phone call from them the next day…veiled threats…and a promise of blame on me if something bad happens to them.
With some people, you just can’t win.
Unfortunately, this is not a rare occurrence in my experience. You do what you can, when you can with what you have and still get kicked in the teeth.
-Darryl
on 26 Oct 2008 at 6:05 pm # Keith Brenton
Darryl, don’t you imagine Jesus got the same kind of reaction when He healed some people, but not everyone? The really hard thing to imitate about His example is that He went to the cross for them anyway.
When I used to get to the end of reading “The Giving Tree” to my children, I’d tell them, “And the moral to the story is … if you’re a tree who gives everything you have, even to someone you love, you may end up nothing but a stump.”
on 26 Oct 2008 at 9:27 pm # Kristan Shields
Patrick, ever since you recommended the book, “Vision of the Anointed,” I read it and have to admit, it shook up a lot of my narrow view of our governmental system. At times it even shocked me, especially relating to the “social programs” that were meant to decrease dependancy and awareness of certain programs and in actuality did the opposite. Moreover, I think that has been what has shaken me up even more with this election. It’s like, I have to think from the POV of where will the least amount of damage be done. Thankfully, my faith calls me to put my trust in Jesus and hope for heaven. That lessens the blow where things of this world let me down.
on 26 Oct 2008 at 10:21 pm # Darryl
Agreed. Please understand that I wouldn’t for a minute think of refraining from helping in the context of Christian service. It is who I am and what I do. But, it is an unfortunate reality of life.
Darryl
on 27 Oct 2008 at 3:26 pm # Mike
I liked the video. I have long contended that helping people should be up close and personal. Even being helped by a church means you have to sort through the lot to find out who the givers are and who to thank. If you know someone in need, get to know them, get into their lives then meet the need. If the need becomes too big, get your friends together explain the situation and need and get their support. Any institution (church included) is an institution and cannot be thanked. Only individuals can be thanked, touched, hugged and loved. Jesus in the flesh. I have been on the receiving and giving end of this. Try it. It works. Do it now. On Thomas Sowell, yes I read him. Why couldn’t he be the one running for president? Then I could vote for him and I wouldn’t be voting for a black man…put a dress on him and call him Thomasinna and I would vote for her…paint him/her any color you like and I would vote for him/her. I would then be voting for ideas and ideals not what community you came from or color or… On Obama, can we please agree that he is white. If indeed he is black, he is also white. If blacks can claim the black part then can’t whites can claim the white part? I can’t vote for either one of them.
on 27 Oct 2008 at 6:22 pm # Dion
I wonder if this was why Jesus often had to get away from the crowds to catch his breath. So many have so many needs and sometimes it works out and sometimes we feel good and sometimes its a disaster and sometimes you get ticked off! You can’t control the response… Just be Jesus. Sometimes you need to back away and breathe!
on 28 Oct 2008 at 8:45 am # Chad Bircher
Personally I agree with most of what is said about government in that video. Also, if the church was doing her job, there would be no need for the redistribution programs. However, when is the last time you saw a Christian business owner offer a convicted felon or homeless man a job? I am sure it happens, but not often enough. If we would start doing our job we wouldn’t have to be taxed so heavily so someone else could do an even poorer job.
on 28 Oct 2008 at 8:52 am # doug young
Patrick,
Good thoughts. Sowell is great. I have read a number of his books. I noticed you are reading other libertarian books. They are worth it. As you can probably tell, there are various strands of libertarianism. The Cato Institute does great work. Look into LewRockwell.com for the most consistent and principled libertarians though.