Charity, Society’s Glue

Charity is the true bond, the glue, which holds our society together. Charity brings us together personally, in community, and in Nation. It is through personal acts of charity that our lives take on meaning. It is through personal acts of charity our society thrives.

Governments do not engage in acts of charity. They are at best, exercising their bureaucratic muscles. “They” take without asking, and give discriminately, while bragging about “their” accomplishments. These are soulless attempts at assisting others while having no clear objective nor provide an end to those on such assistance. They provide no physical, emotional, psychological, or financial freedom. Just a never ending cycle of poverty and dependency. Those who make it out of such environments usually do so by breaking away from these “assistances”.

This is why independent organizations, especially the Church, are necessary for a healthy society. Charity is the command of God, the command of Christ. (*Mark, 12; 29-31) It is through acts of charity that we live in a relationship with Christ (**Matt, 25; 34-40). This is how we live as Christians. Without regard to the Faith, lifestyle, ethnic or nationality of those in need.           (***Gal. 3; 28)

It is this interaction of people, for people, by people, that brings us together as a people. It is this kind of interaction that reduces public tensions. People helping people to become independent and whole, helps to bring people into a society of helping others. As governments become increasingly engaged as a charitable entity, society as a whole suffers at an increasing rate. The poor stay poor, longer. The rich become increasingly rich, giving of one’s self becomes archaic. As the government grows, the individual, and society, becomes increasingly apathetic, perhaps even callous in nature. The attitude then becomes something like “Just go ahead and take some taxes, and leave me alone”, “I don’t want to be bothered with “those” people” “that’s what my taxes are for, I have my own life to live.” Life becomes me and mine.

The cause of this separation of the people is the result of good intentions, poorly performed. We all have our gifts in life. For some of us these gifts are artistic, for others it’s the ability to connect with others on a personal level. For others still, it may be organizational skills, or perhaps to work in a team environment. All these can and should be used to help others in the form of charity. Charity, to give without the expectation of a return. This goes against much of what we are taught in our lives.

As we grow and develop in life we are taught to work hard, save and reap the benefits of our labors, and that’s OK. Works/acts of charity are something generally learned. Whether at home or in a religious setting, how to be charitable in a responsible manner, takes time to develop, not for all of us but for many to be sure.

Regardless if you volunteer on the occasion to help in your church or community, or if you are an ardent supporter of a special cause. Engaging in acts of charity is an essential part of both the individual and the society to create and maintain healthy attitudes toward one another. To be able to understand each other as a person, as a people and grow together in a common goal of peace and unity.

            To truly become a world united in respect, we cannot force, we must offer our assistance in charity, love, community, faith, in a very real and human way. It is in this way we, all as children of God, can live and grow in the peace we all wish to achieve.

May the peace and love of Christ be with you always-

Related article: http://daedgo.blogspot.com/2014/01/1-corinthians-13-adaptation.html

All Scripture is from the NABRE

*Mark, 12; 29-31- Jesus replied, the first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

**Matt, 25; 34-40 – Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'

***Gal. 3; 28 – There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

by David E. Gonzales

Life’s Double Standard?

It has been my observation that most people are liberal in though and conservative in action. Or to say they are publicly liberal but privately conservative. I consider this a double standard not as stated above but as this:

When a person is publicly liberal and it is discovered they live a conservative leaning life style, then they are considered down to earth, blue collar, one of people. This is then considered a good thing, and these people are praised for being themselves. If however a person projects themselves as conservative and it is then discovered they lead a liberal leaning lifestyle then they are considered as being “caught” as hypocrites for not being themselves. Public scorn usually follows.

The public scorn then turns to the demanding of an apology for not being honest in their projected image. This is considered by most, perhaps a vast majority, to be normal and just.

Even as I write this I realize I too consider this to be “OK”, to be a normal course of action. And yet I wonder why this is so. Why it’s ok to live a conservative lifestyle while projecting one’s self as liberal in thought. And yet so wrong to flip this scenario 180^o in the other direction.

Mind you, I’m not talking about the self-righteous public person who berates those different than himself, while they are in fact, living, privately, this same lifestyle. I think those examples of overt hypocrisy are self-evident. I am talking, in part, about the public person, star, politician, etc. that lets their opinion known to the general public. Why are they held to such a unique standard? Or is it just that when they are accused of such behavior the outcry is louder for them than when it’s a friend or associate whose life becomes known to us.

I refuse to point out individuals for the purpose of example. I believe most of us can think of someone, or situation, where we have been surprised with a contradictory behavior. So, I will leave it up to you to find and make a comparison of sorts. Also, this not a commentary about any one lifestyle, just some thoughts about the way the general public reacts to those lifestyles as stated.

Now I must make a confession, I have no idea what the “why” is in this equation. I do believe it’s definitely worth the time to ponder such a thought. Perhaps someone much more in tune with today’s social climate than I am. And would also be able and willing to express themselves on this matter. It would be nice to hear some varying opinions, my curiosity is certainly peaked.

Blessings all-

by David E. Gonzales