So have you seen all over the news and Blogland the way some people are saying that the Haitian government is so corrupt that they're getting what they deserve?
And that the money we send to help people over there will eventually go into the pockets of that corrupt government so we shouldn't give anything? Or how others ask, "Why should the U.S. give anything to these other countries anyway?"
Wow.
Well, here is what I know: Over in Haiti there are millions of moms and dads and children who are hurt, homeless and dying. And here is a little of what God says about that:
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress ... " James 1:27
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me... 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Jesus).' From Matthew 25
And one more (though there are many more):
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor,
"Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—
when you now have it with you. ... Proverbs 3:27, 28
Others can argue against the many Bible verses like those, but as for me and my house, we will give to others in times of need.
Keep your extreme complication, reasoning and excuses if you choose, but for me, giving to help wounded people in disasters is simply the right thing to do. The loving thing.
End of story.
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Love gives.
"Whatever a man sows, that also will he reap..."
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"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." ... From 1st Corinthians 13 (The Message Bible)
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Amen! You have hit the nail on the head. We are called to give aid to the best of our ability. God will provide the means to get that aid there. My heart is still so heavy for the people of Haiti. I have some indirect connections in Haiti plus my husband has served in missionary work there. He has a heart for the beautiful and lost people of Haiti.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this, Debra. I don't think there is any question what God wants us to do when confronted with human tragedy.Christ did not come to teach us how to be selfish and self-centered.
ReplyDeleteAMEN! God forgive all the religion we quote as an explanation for selfishness. this has been one of those weeks when i spend way too much time explaining that Christians and Christ are not always on the same page.
ReplyDeleteI was appalled at what Pat Robertson said. I'm sure that he has done a lot of good, but I think he is losing it!
ReplyDeleteAmericans are the most generous people on earth, and I'm sure we will continue to be, no matter what our financial problems are.
Bless you dear Debra. I visit many blogs and you were the only one I visit who had compasionate words for the Haitians. The other blogs I visit...were still just talking about their small life, no mention whatsoever about Haiti.
ReplyDelete...and yes this Pat Robertson ..what he said...well it's quite scary and so so dehumanizing. This man is sick, I agree with the above post.
Olivia
Dear Debra,
ReplyDeleteYou have said it well! BLESS YOU!
To think what would happen if WE ever actually got what we deserved.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest is Love. Not being right.
I hope I can remember this all my life.
Thanks for posting ths, Debra.
Oh Debra you always make me think so much! When Jesus speaks you always know the right way.
ReplyDeleteWhat love...God bless, Pearl
One of the problems with Haiti is that the country publically gave themselves over to voodoo not that long ago...matching what has been done and accepted years and years ago. When Satan is in charge of a country, he will always, always, always bring destruction and devastation.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, it is a horrible human tragedy and i'm glad that so many organizations are there to help. i cannont imagine the hurt and pain and suffering of those and i pray for them all day long...
And it reminds me, once again, that our struggle here on earth is not just flesh and blood.....