THE OPPOSITE OF POVERTY IS NOT WEALTH; THE OPPOSITE OF POVERTY IS ENOUGH.
– Dr Wess Stafford, president emeritus of Compassion International
Those who seek to conquer poverty must bear in mind, it is not a matter of everyone coming to possess the same amount. It is a matter of ensuring all have enough. When Jesus said ‘the poor will be always with you’ (Mtt 26:11) this was not a throwaway line. He was well aware of the selfishness engrained in human beings and how this selfishness would always lead to poverty. When the rich man ignored Lazarus at his gate, Jesus didn’t condemn him for being rich, but because he ignored Lazarus. It didn’t even occur to the rich man that without a lot of self-sacrifice, he personally could ensure Lazarus would have enough and not just for today but tomorrow as well.
It seems to be part of our make up to want more when we already have more than enough. Hence, giving away is for the comfortable, a remedy to keep our greed in check. If we fail to do this, even on a small scale, we will be surprised how deeply greed will find its home in us.
Poverty is a blot on the landscape of human nature. It is something we should be absolutely ashamed of as human beings. The sin belongs to us all. Because no one takes responsibility for it, we all must join in the fight to ensure all have enough: as long as we remember, enough must be there for tomorrow as well.
The question arises: how do we get rid of greed, the mentality of building bigger barns to store our surplus? It is here I think, that an organization such as the St Vincent de Paul Society can make an enormous contribution. A question we might ask ourselves is: do people in general realize how giving away helps them grow in compassion and therefore in their humanity?
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DISCUSSION: How do you feel about the quote heading this article?
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PRAYER
Jesus, Lord
If only I see clearly
Your generosity was total
Mine is limited.
If only I had the faith to trust
Self-emptying is a process
Filling me with compassion
Making me fully human
Giving until I can no longer take
Dying until I am risen.
