A person’s a person no matter how small
I have not given much thought to whether Dr. Seuss was a Believer or not, but I have questions regarding our current Christian society and whether or not the American Church, at least the segment with which I am familiar, believes this Seussism.
My experience has been that we believe that some of the less fortunates need help. We throw money, mission trips, and various other charitable offerings at them. Some people even give some volunteer time, but in my experience, I know of very few Christians (this includes myself) who befriend the less fortunate and build meaningful relations with those who would correlate with the outcasts of the Bible.
Who might these lessers be? Maybe the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, or Islamics fit in the Samaritan stead. What about the modern day lepers; drug addicts? HIV/AIDs? Prostitutes? The demon possessed we might still have, but few believe it so let’s just say they are the mentally ill or those who commit sexual crimes against children.
Who hangs with these people? Certainly not me. I am not trying to say that we all need to move into the local “other side of the track” to make ourselves feel better or better yet, boost our social status at the local church. What I am saying is that there is this haunting passage of scripture that makes me cringe when I read it. You know, the sheep and the goats thing when Jesus starts separating the real followers from the showboats. He does this simply on the basis of how they treat the poor.
In my work as a nurse I have as patients every cross-section of local society from owners of large well known business to the drug addict who is a regular at their county’s jail. I get paid to do this. I treat them all the same. I advocate for both when I see injustice, I do my best to see that each receive equal treatment from all those involved in the patient’s care. But, outside of work, I choose who I interact with and where I go.
Mostly these choices make me wonder how I shelter myself. How I befriend those who I get a return from the investment. When things get rough, I leave. People who are truly poor seem to have problems on a much more basic level, like food, gas, car, and medical issues. Things that I cannot control. I cannot fiscally support another family. After all, I would not want anyone mooching. Why, I’d feel used. And that, we all know, is a sin because we are supposed to use our money wisely and not waste it on a human in need who cannot balance a bank account.
Anywho I am rambling and do not feel like editing or going back to hone this post into something more concise or thoughtful. Just give thought to the idea that the person who appears to have messed up their life is probably acutely aware of that fact. They may have gotten help a hundred times before and flubbed it up each time. They might flub it up again if we choose to help. But does this mean that I should not consider helping them? Does it mean they are more deserving of Christ’s love than I? Does this mean I have a right to withhold help from them so that “God” can teach them a lesson?
I mean, come on, what’s the point? We all know that the bible says these drunkards, druggies, prostitutes, loan sharks, and murderers are not going to enter the kingdom. Why should I help? They’ll just do it again!
