Psalm 49:5-7 New International Version (NIV)

What I’m going to say will probably anger a few of you.  At this point, however; I can’t say that I’m as troubled by that as I am by the fact that I would even have to point this out.  I’ve heard many people talking about the taxation of the rich or well-off and about how the welfare system is allowing people to feed off of a system that they haven’t paid into.  I’ve heard CHRISTIAN people fret about other HUMAN BEINGS getting more than what they themselves are getting.  I’ve heard CHRISTIAN people belly-aching about money more than I’ve heard CHRISTIAN people talking about solutions to the fiscal problems that face our country today.  Not once have I heard anyone stand up and say, “Wow, there are people who are still in such dire financial straits that they remain on welfare and cannot afford to live even the leanest lifestyle.  What can I, as a CHRISTIAN, do to help these people?”  No, I’ve heard, “When will the government stop taxing me so much and just giving a handout to those less fortunate than I?”  Their big concern seems to be, “When will I stop footing the bill for someone else?”  Wow, what if God had this attitude?  What if He said one day, “You know, I’m really tired of blessing these human beings with jobs, houses, food, clothing, money, gifts, the ability to have expensive hobbies, and basically with the breath of life?”  What if He got tired of making it possible for you to have the things you feel the poor are somehow preventing you from increasing?

Sadly, when CHRISTIANS are more focused on what they aren’t getting or on what someone else might be getting that they don’t deserve, they are playing the role of judge and jury to their peers.  They are demonstrating in a most blatant way that they aren’t happy with what God has already given them and that they don’t trust His judgement in what He is allowing others to have in their lives.  Or is it that they believe that all of this is truly in the power of man?  Do we not trust that all we see around us is part of His plan?  Do we not realize that the passion with which we complain about sharing our wealth is passion that should be directed toward eliminating the need to do so?  I don’t begrudge anyone anything that they are able to get when it comes to taking care of their families.  I don’t advocate for those who are taking advantage of a faulty system, but then, I’m secure in the knowledge that those whose intentions are evil will be dealt with by the all-powerful God that provides for me and mine.  I’m just saddened by the fact that at the time of year when we should be feeling generous and in the spirit to give to others, there are so many people who are scared to death that they might lose even one penny of their wealth.  I assure you, if this is your attitude, it wouldn’t matter if you were taxed one penny or one hundred, you are already living in the worst kind of poverty and your wealth will not be recovered until your faith is in the One and only God and in His provision and His plan for your life.  You can’t take it with you and you really shouldn’t want to.