Thursday; August 22

If it was easy to help people more people would help people.  I am going to give you a chance to reread that sentence because it seems to be rather convoluted, but in its own way, it makes sense. 
When most of us find it convenient to give, we do a good job of helping out our fellow man; however, when it becomes difficult, we are less likely to give.  Naturally, this is the case we face a need that causes us to suffer financially, but I think there is another price that we struggle to pay.  When giving is convenient it makes us feel good but when things cause us inconvenience it becomes much more difficult.  This is especially true when we are forced to come face-to-face with the ugliness of the world.  We would like to believe that we live in a safe, comfortable society; but the truth of the matter is that there are a lot of people who don’t enjoy the “good life” much less the “easy life”.  They are surrounded by poverty, crime, addiction and abuse.  Sometimes these circumstances are by their own doing, but often, they are merely casualties of the choices made by others.  From an intellectual perspective it is easy to say that someone should be helping these people, but are we willing to risk our own comfort and security to give them what they need?  People in these situations tend to make us uncomfortable, but is that really an excuse for not meeting their needs? 
The other day I came across an idea that suggested that to do good we may need to become comfortable being uncomfortable.  If we are going to fulfill God’s will for us, this may have to be a concession we make.  Let’s remember the message of the Bible, “He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.” (Proverbs 28:27).  When we are willing to go where the need is, God has promised to always be with us.
Think About It!

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