Imbalance

Today was exhausting. I didn't perform any form of particularly difficult labor, but several activities transpired to sap the energy reserves by the end of the night. The morning began at 7:00 AM, with a trip to church for the first half of the day. My son was a performer in the bi-monthly "Family Venture" worship service at WSFC, while I ran the slides, musical cues and transitions. It was a truly wonderful experience to see children learning the biblical principles of generosity, as they were singing, dancing and being entertained. Parents and children alike walked away with seeds [of generosity] planted in their hearts and minds.

After lunch, we ran our daughter to a new friend's house, which was simply beautiful. The place was easily worth six figures more than our own home. Everything was 'perfect', and I felt horribly outclassed just standing in their doorway.

Within minutes I was back home, looking at the Grocery Outlet website for coupons and insight into potential deals they may be offering above and beyond their already reduced pricing. It's no secret that I've revealed some personal information with you, and shared data regarding the financial classes my wife and I are currently attending. We're trying to adhere to a redesigned budget, so discretionary income is reduced for the time being, and every monthly cost is carefully being evaluated- including food.

However, after reading an article [The Food Stamp Challenge] published on the grocery chain's website, I felt as though I'd been punched in the stomach. Here I am, worrying about how we'll be able to reduce our monthly expenses, when there are families in my own community who live below our state's poverty line, and have to make tough calls regarding feeding their children on as little as $21 in food stamps per person, per week. That's $1 per meal, per person, three times per day. Snacks simply aren't on the menu.

Because my wife and I have four children, our family would hypothetically be issued $126 per week for food. That's $6552 amortized to an average of $546 per month. While not an insignificant amount of money, that isn't much currency to feed a family of our size. In any given month, we currently spend double that amount just trying to keep the pantry stocked. This fact really made me take a step back and think about how difficult daily life can be for so many people, and how 'good' we really have it. We are no different [or better] than the people living out this harsh reality every day. We breathe the same air. We're simply blessed in the midst of our challenges.

After a "frozen box" dinner, my wife and I sat down to watch "The Social Network" on DVD. I feel as though we're likely the last people on the planet to view the film, however statistically it's highly improbable. How did I like it? Well, I loved the movie itself and was [am] grotesquely intrigued by the real people behind the caricatures on screen. The movie awoke a part of my childhood; the nerdy kid who was busy coding sprites in BASIC on a TRS-80 [and saving them to cassette] while everyone else in my peer group was at the mall, hooking up their own human "networks". Key differences? About a decade, the fact that Mark Zuckerberg has me bested by approximately 20 IQ points and I'm not valued at $13.5 billion.

I had to appreciate Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. I was immediately drawn to "Mark's" technical prowess and raw and brutal honesty. However, his lack of social graces was off-putting at times. Although dramatization is certain to deviate from reality, I found myself rallying for Eduardo Saverin, and loathing Shawn Parker. Granted, I don't know these men; I wasn't a fly on the wall in the midst of their business meetings or social gatherings, so I'll never know how events actually transpired. I can't judge them, nor would they likely even take notice if I did such a thing. In the end, it was educational to see how the world's largest social network came into existence.

Let's tie it together, shall we? In the course of one day, the Lord placed an interesting collage of sorts into focus. We learned about the importance of thinking of others; giving to those in need with a generous heart. We became aware of the very bleak reality of families in our community, who cannot easily afford to eat a healthy meal each day. I discovered where my family currently fits in the socio-economic pyramid, and finally, we saw an example of extreme wealth and unprecedented success. Such an imbalance in America!

Now, I'm not trying to promote communism, or any form of new age thinking. People with talents and tenacity should be rewarded for their work. However, I'm simply stating that if more Christians were to actually follow what the Word of God says to do for the poor, would there be a little more 'balance' among the classes? If we're operating in love, would there even be any 'classes' at all? This whole subject requires far more thought and effort to tackle than I have within me tonight. Let's just reflect on how we can reach out and help those who are less fortunate than ourselves, regardless of our status level.

Deuteronomy 15:4-7 (The Message)

4-6 There must be no poor people among you because God is going to bless you lavishly in this land that God, your God, is giving you as an inheritance, your very own land. But only if you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, diligently observing every commandment that I command you today. Oh yes—God, your God, will bless you just as he promised. You will lend to many nations but won't borrow from any; you'll rule over many nations but none will rule over you.

7-9 When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a tight grip on your purse. No. Look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don't count the cost. Don't listen to that selfish voice saying, "It's almost the seventh year, the year of All-Debts-Are-Canceled," and turn aside and leave your needy neighbor in the lurch, refusing to help him. He'll call God's attention to you and your blatant sin.

Luke 10:33-35 (The Message)

33-35"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

Good Night