In the last several months I have heard “strong” Christians tell people who are struggling financially to pull themselves up by the bootstraps, not to worry about money because worry is a sin, reminding the less fortunate that he who doesn’t work doesn’t eat, etc.
Why is it that people who are called by Christ to feed the hungry, clothe the poor and take care of the widows, revile the poor? Why do churches treat the less fortunate less than human? Why do we who have been touched by God treat the beggars of our day as untouchables? Do we really believe that the poor want to be poor because otherwise they would be rich? Here are few other questions:
- Why do we ignore gluttons? Why don’t we tell them to put the hamburger down and hit the gym?
- Why is it OK to judge people we don’t even know, based on a few things we hear them say?
- When did it become acceptable to be greedy and to hoard?
- Why do we feel God is honored and has blessed us just because we can afford two or three houses? Do we ever think he might be disgusted that we didn’t buy one for someone who doesn’t have a home?
- Why is idolatry suddenly fine if it is a parent who worships their child?
Here’s an idea— before we go trying to diagnose why those less fortunate aren’t as “blessed,” and before we start beating them over the head with a list of dos and don’ts, lets do some needed housekeeping and remove the plank from our own eyes.