Faith Journey
Privileges
We shower daily, while others bathe in dirty rivers occasionally.
We eat three meals a day, plus un-needed snacks, while others starve.
We sleep warm and soundly while others can never rest.
We have closets filled with unworn clothing, while others wear all they have each day.
We have extended families, while others live alone as orphans, refugees or as prisoners.
We own homes, sometimes more than one, while others are homeless.
We enjoy safety, while others live with death, war and violence daily.
We work or change jobs, while others beg for minimal survival.
We travel extensively and freely, while others live their whole lives where they were born.
We attend schools and continuing education, while others die far too early in poverty.
We make and protect retirement plans, while other die far too early in poverty.
We have extensive medical systems, while others have no health care and die early.
Unlike millions around the world, we North Americans are inordinately blessed, tempted to assume our rights to these gifts, even to fighting for them, and frequently misusing these privileges which are on loan from God.
We want you to know about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia, for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and theri extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing with the saints. (I Corinthians 8:1-4)
Lord, forgive my possessive and acquisitive nature. Help my fumbling attempts to be a good steward of all these exceptional opportunities, resources and privileges in light of the millions without even daily bread or the good news of salvation! Please make me generous, like you.
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