Thought for Today
Genesis 33:9 But Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself."
Numbers 11:22 Are there enough flocks and herds to slaughter for them? Are there enough fish in the sea to catch for them?"
Matthew 6:34 "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.
John 6:7 Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."
If those verses look familiar, they should. I referenced them only 2 weeks ago when I focused on the question, “How much is enough?” Sometimes history and life do repeat themselves.
My mind is not at all analogous to the Cern Supercollider. In fact, it is not any sort of nuclear particle accelerator. Admittedly, there are random particles zooming around in my mind most of the time, partially developed thoughts and ideas, thoughts triggered by things I have read or heard. Sometimes those random particles do collide. Unlike the Cern Supercollider, there are no explosions, no sudden release of subatomic particles, no hints into the Big Bang. Occasionally, however, those collisions offer me new and interesting views of previously held opinions.
Last night, as I watched the network newscast, as I heard about the increased food insecurity resulting from the cessation of the distribution of SNAP benefits, all of what we are seeing collided with my question from 2 weeks ago, “How much is enough?”
It seems apparent to me that there is a coordinated plan in action to minimize or even eliminate our federal government’s actions in combating food insecurity and housing insecurity not only in our nation but throughout the world. Most of our efforts around the globe ceased with the dismantlement of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Now we are seeing a similar process of suspending efforts internally. Yes, the cessation of the SNAP benefits and other similar programs is being laid at the feet of the government shutdown. As with much of life, there are reasons, but there are no excuses.
Thankfully, we are seeing countless examples of private citizens stepping forward to bridge the gap left by our federal government’s withdrawal. But, I am once again left with the question, “How much is enough?” It is a question we often discuss in our home. Before we left Texas, I became involved with a Christian prison ministry, Kairos International. Twice annually, our group would hold a session inside of one of the state’s maximum security units. Prior to the introduction of Kairos into that unit many years before, that unit had been one of the most violent in our nation. Today, the rate of violent incidents is almost statistically insignificant.
The biannual events required a great deal of planning, effort and expense from many people. The unit chaplain would select 40 inmates, whom we called ‘brothers in white’ to attend. Everyone involved knew that many of the 40 accepted the invitation to escape the boredom of incarceration. Some accepted because they had upcoming parole hearings. Inevitably, the question always arose, “Is it worth the effort? Knowing how many are there for the wrong reasons, is it worth the cost?” However, we could look at the statistics. We would also encounter others who had been through previous events in that unit. We even had 1 volunteer who had been an inmate there, was released, studied, started his own church and came back to offer hope to others. If only a single life is saved, if only a single soul is redeemed, how much is enough? As much as it takes to save that one.
Much of the effort to reduce and/or eliminate our federal government’s participation in combating food insecurity and housing insecurity is being justified by the fraud and waste involved. Any honest evaluation of all government programs and efforts will find the same fraud, inefficiency and waste. How much fraud, waste and inefficiency is enough to tolerate without eliminating all our government programs to combat starvation and poverty? As much as it takes to eliminate food insecurity, housing insecurity, poverty and want.
Jesus did say, “John 12:8 You always have the poor with you . . .” He also reminded us, “Matthew 25:40 Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” As much as it takes!
Stay safe, demonstrate your faith by your life, trust God,
Pastor Ray