Comments on: Does Christian charity obligate us to provide designer shoes, cell phones, and flat-screen TVs?

By: Geri

Geri — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

With all the entitlements the poor receive in the US, many can hardly be called poor. Their income is the result of what politicians do with other people’s money to buy votes. They are not producers, just consumers. They know how to work the system and that is their employment. I deal daily with the attitude that government redistribution generates – contempt for country, teachers, a free education, and always there is a sense of entitlement – that they are owed something. They are not poor in material goods, but have impoverished spirits. Christian charity obliges me to show them tough love, and point out the danger in their thinking.

When I help people materially as Jesus commanded us to do, I look for those who are really in need, like the elderly couple who worked all their lives, raised their children without government assistance, and live on the pitiful earnings of social security because they do not have the strength to continue to work. Or the widow who just lost her husband to cancer, has monumental bills to pay, and children to raise. Or the working poor who work multiple jobs and still cannot afford much beyond the bare necessities. They earn too much money to qualify for welfare but would greatly benefit from assistance. Or the ordinary residents of poverty stricken nations, or those suffering from devastating natural disasters.

I think it is plain to see that children with cell phones, Ipods, and Wii systems who brag about their possessions, own expensive new clothing and shoes, and get free school breakfast and lunch clearly do not know the meaning of poverty.

By: EastCoasyEazy

EastCoasyEazy — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

HATI – na bro just ur everyday dude Jesus wants u to help out

By: Laurie M

Laurie M — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

retard downsboys don’t deserve help.

By: CalleyD

CalleyD — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

those in need of food, shelter, and clothing

By: M to the R still in your face

M to the R still in your face — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

I don’t remember that bit from the bible. If I were a Christian I would put my hand in my pocket and do what Jesus damn well told me to do in the bible, not like he’s mincing his words, or being ambiguous when he instructs you to cast off your wealth, is it?

By: Maranatha!

Maranatha! — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

Those you see on the corner asking for food, those that live under the bridges, those who try to make it to a shelter, those that do not know God.

By: Colette Pioline ART

Colette Pioline ART — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

When one out of every 50 children in the US is homeless, I’d say we’ve got plenty of poor to help.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1883966,00.html

By: oliver

oliver — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

no, no it doesn’t

By: AmeliaBedelia

AmeliaBedelia — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

I’ve seen ones who don’t have much yet they have those things that you speak about. There are places where you can purchase designer clothes and a flat screen tv for a reasonable price such as Good Will or other thrift stores. That’s why they’re there to provide luxuries at a lower cost. Why shouldn’t they have them?
I used to be Director of Food Ministries at my church and we would open up our food bank once a week. There were times when I delivered the food to the homes of those less fortunate and found that their homes even though were old and run down on the outside were clean on the inside and they had some of those luxuries. I never judged them for I felt that it was ok. Their children were happy, fed and had a nice tv to sit and watch on hot summer days.

Edit: I agree with Colette, there are many people out there that need our help.

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:03:32 +0000

Well, if you give to organizations like UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) you don’t
have to worry about those nonsensical issues. The cell phone issue is a little different because domestic violence programs do take donated cells and are able to provide them to women who may be in a dangerous situation.