“Only they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”
-Galatians 2:10
This is not me. To be perfectly honest, I’d rather not remember the poor, because the less I think about those who have less than me, the easier it is to be self-indulgent and self-pitying about how little I have.
In reality, I have far more than I need. I know it deep down, and I know it when I take the time to be grateful that there is money left over when we pay our bills, which is more than many many people can say. We eat good food, and I have to say that my heart has caught in my throat a time or two with just how happy I am to watch Torre eat a whole peach’s worth of slices, juice dripping down his fingers and cheeks so full his lips have to press together to hold everything in while he chews. There are mothers in the world who have to choose between their children who gets to eat at a meal or in a day, and there are no peaches or any fruit ever, and it honestly breaks my heart and makes me hate myself a little bit for the times I wish we had more.
But I wonder how this verse from Galatians translates to our world now. In a country with social services, although that system is riddled with gaps, and with global news, and in a world with such unjust distribution of wealth, what does it mean to remember the poor? Which poor? Among us in church, or out in the neighbourhood, or in slums across the world?
What can we do?
Yes, a very valid topic. The Bible says that there will be poor always among you. I like churches that have food and clothing banks. But I wouldn’t donate money to any of them. It’s best to donate actual food or clothing. But some of these places now have clothing sales, which I don’t think is right. Clothing was donated to the missions for those in need, not for those who take advantage and sell them off!
It’s too bad that for most of my unhappy childhood, I never learned to be self-sufficient. I had to learn everything the HARD way after I moved out of my parents’ home at 19. It’s just very expensive to live in Canada and it’s a reality that you need a good education so you can get a good job. So then you won’t live in these disgusting rooming-house or apartment situations such as I’ve had to live in for the last 25 or more years!