The Least of These ~ Socialism that Works

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the second book written by Luke, Acts, he explains that the early church held all things in common and that everyone was given freely whatever was needed.  When social welfare is based on the belief that God owns everything and that he will supply all that we need, it can work.  I have yet to see that enacted by anyone who claims to be a socialist in our society. 

The problem with modern day socialism is not the idea of social welfare.  It is trying to enforce it out of obligation or law instead of love motivating it that works.  I am not here, however, to rant against secular socialism.  I want to focus on the idea of being socially aware of the needs of others.

If I am going to really consider the needs of the poor then I must limit what I own.  It is not wrong to have things that I like.  It is not that the Father does not want me to have good things.  In fact, it is just the opposite.  He wants to give us what our heart desires.  He provided for this in the Law, mentions it in the proverbs, and promises in the epistles.

It is in seeking him first that it is conditional.  We are to pursue Christ and consider all “things” lost for the sake of doing that.  When I share freely and liberally with those who have need then the Father is free to give us what we desire that falls in line with following his Son. 

If we truly desire to follow Christ then we need to realize that all of mankind is our responsibility.   The church should be known for its generosity and provision for those in need.  Instead we build gold domes and crystal palaces.  If we hope to transform the world we need to get past the ideas of greed and possession.  We need to embrace the idea that if anyone is hungry we will sacrifice what is needed to feed them, even our enemies. 

What is the impact if we depend on the Father for all that we need and desire and consider all things available to those who need?  If we give to those in need no matter their station and status we lose nothing.  It is in this giving that we find freedom from things and the power of mobility to follow Christ.

I must approach the season of giving with the heart of one who only has Christ as a possession.  “With Jesus our only possession then giving becomes our delight.”  In a world that has lost respect for the church and sees it as callus and greedy, perhaps a dose of social welfare is exactly what is needed.  I know that I need to have that approach with everyone.  Perhaps we can talk together as we journey Dear Reader and discuss how we will lighten our burden by sharing with the poor. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Kids BLOG

It Ain't Yours to Throw Away – Children

Greetings Dear Reader,

I want to apologize in advance for any toes I am about to trample.  No matter what your crime or sin I do not hate you.  I do, however, loath it when children are hurt.  The obvious focus of this could be abortion but I have written about that in the past and do not have anything further to say about it at this time.

Photo by Natalie Foley

We throw away children in many other ways.  Fathers create them and then refuse to be fathers.  Mothers choose the life they want over the life to which they are obligated and damage their own children to do it.  The parents treating each other with love and respect does more to protect a child than anything.  It is too common in our society to choose our selfish desires over the needs of our children. 

Aunts and uncles choose to ignore the needs unmet when marriages fail for their siblings.  Grandparents fail to pass on the wisdom of their generation.  We encounter abuse and refuse to intervene.  We allow children to live in poverty when we have more that we need.

Please recall that this discussion is to prepare my heart for the advent season.  If this time does not warrant considering children then none does.  We have created a culture where children are disposable.  Instead we should be doing whatever it takes to protect the hearts of children. 

If there is anywhere where my heart must follow Christ it is with the welfare of children.  I cannot undo my past failures and must not dwell on those.  I can work to show selfless love to my children now.  I can see their genuine needs and help where I can.  I can refuse to put my wants ahead of their needs.

More so I can be a grandparent who cares for the needs of his Grandchildren over what I want.  I can be there for them when they need me.  I can make it about them and not about them fulfilling me.  Is that not what it really comes down to with children?  If we work to meet their needs then who they are will be what fulfills us.

We are not to use them to make us happy.  We are to invest in them so that they will have an honest shot at happiness.  Jesus had some serious comments about all of this.  If I am to follow him I must assure that I listen to him regarding children.  Anything that is knowingly hurting a child is dangerous for me.  Anything that strengthens their faith and character is good.   

How can I hope to show them that Jesus loves them if I do not selflessly do that as well?  I cannot.  No matter what I think I might need from them it is not my needs that matter.  It is doing whatever it takes to show them love, generosity, and kindness.  It means being whatever I must to insure that they are given every opportunity to have a good life.

Don’t Tell Them Jesus Loves Them – Steve Camp 

Oh suffering soul, crying out for love

In a world that seldom cares

See the hungry heart longing to be filled

Much more than our prayers

And a young girl sells herself on Seventh Avenue

And you hear her crying out for help,

"My God, what will we do?"

Don't tell them Jesus loves them till you're ready to love them too

Till your heart breaks from the sorrow and the pain they're going through

With a life full of compassion may we do what we must do

Don't tell them Jesus loves them till you're ready to love them too

Oh, the desperate man

Are we reaching for the souls that are sinking down in sin?

Oh, cry for the child

We've lost our passion for the lost and there are billions left to win

And another forty thousand children starved to death today

Would we risk all we have to see what of them say?

Don't tell them Jesus loves them till you're ready to love them too

Till your heart breaks from the sorrow and the pain they're going through

With a life full of compassion may we do what we must do

Don't tell them Jesus loves them till you're ready to love them too

Why have we waited so long to show them Jesus lives

To share salvation's song

Why have our hearts become so proud that we fail to see

To love them is to love God

And a young girl sells herself on Seventh Avenue

Hear her crying out for help,

"What will we do?"

Don't tell them Jesus loves them till you're ready to love them too

Till your heart breaks from the sorrow and the pain they're going through

With a life full of compassion may we do what we must do

Don't tell them Jesus loves them till you're ready to love them too

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."