The Generous Art of Giving

The Photograph, 'A Beautiful Day In New York' courtesy of The New York Social Diary

The fascination of extremes, is something I always find intriguing about the streets of New York. Having always been under the shelter of the Manhattan square of haven, I somehow never get the often shocking moments reserved for the citizens of the lower West side. By definition the effect is entirely lost on the native New Yorkers, who oblivious to it all, happily chuckle past in their Manolos. I often wonder what happened to these people who push all their belongings in an overflowing shopping cart and how did they get that way. Then I open another bill and wonder......

Try for a moment to divorce from the way you feel about this issue. It feels Orwellian, doesn't it? It doesn't seem fair that it's not just good enough to be politically correct or qualified or good at what you do. It does not matter what political spectrum you belong to. That's not even close to what it takes to succeed in today's marketplace of ideas. Instead, you must frame your message in a way that gives people a story that matches their worldview.

I heard a speach given by the spokesperson for the governor of Missouri a while back. She was supporting the Governor's claim that eliminating Medicaid in Missouri was a moral, socially acceptable act of generosity. She explained how unfair it was for taxpayers to subsidize health care for the poor, and that in fact, eliminating health care for the poor might be quite positive because it would encourage people to go out and get a job. She did this in a calm and reasonable manner, and you could hear the foundation being built. After all, how can you be against people going out and getting a job? How can you be against people keeping their own money... If this story fits your worldview, I'm sure it sounds reasonable and believable. If it doesn't, the story won't persuade you. That's the way marketing works--you don't persuade people with your story, you just give people who already agree with you the tools they need to persaude their friends. Heh.

Comments

[Alexandra]

What fascinates me is how these people explain to themselves the reasoning of their convictions in their own warped minds Joe?

[The Heretik]

It makes you wonder what the purpose of civil conversation is. But that's just my view. And I don't expect I can convince anyone else otherwise.

[spiritofecstasy]

There is a difference between being forced to give and giving freely.

1.) Years ago a surgeon recovered from a life threatening illness and produced a television program about such. The lecture had nothing to do with the medical professions or the medical industry. He said that when he stopped thinking about himself, and went out of his way to do things for others, his condition improved and eventually came into remission. He just became emotionally exhausted with his own attitude and began making concessions to others. He was not specific about what he did for others though. The spirit of cooperation. Bonding with others. There is a lesson there.

2.) There is a financial program on CNBC, highly recommended, called Mad Money. After Katrina hit a question was raised; Money to invest or Money to charity? The answer; If you invest the money wisely then "YOU" will have more money to GIVE and more money for yourself. There is a lesson there too.

3.) Since we have a thread about Christmas and the Salvation Army was mentioned I have seen the work of the Salvation Army.

Years ago, while in Manhattan and waiting at a traffic light in a cab, I saw a truch with about forty people lined up to it. I asked the driver who was doing what. He said every evening the Salvation Army truck parks there and offers a modest meal To "Anyone" Who Walks Up.

[David]

"... eliminating health care for the poor might be quite positive because it would encourage people to go out and get a job..."

*sigh*

I've worked in an "inner city" church where I was the only staff member to actually live in the neighborhood. Worked in a homeless shelter, and in other venues dealing with what you describe. The comment above simply doesn't embrace the reality of these situations.

But.

Taking money from someone by the force of law and giving it to someone else (who may indeed have a legitimate need) is playing Robin Hood. Noble eh? But it doesn't matter if the mugger who takes your money by threat of force uses it to buy a bottle of milk for mother or to blow it on crack: it's theft.

And it's theft whether a government or an individual does it.

And it stifles our responsibility as Christians to be charitable, as well as removing the poor from our personal consideration. Disconnecting us from the reality of our _personal_ responsibilities to give to those in need, and not just give things, which can scarcely ever be more than bandaids over wounds that need to be cleaned and dressed and tended...

And that's something the Church will have to answer for, I believe: allowing charity to be illegitimately usurped by civil government. (I believe the Church needs to take Luke 10:25-37 MUCH more seriously, and the feds, especially, need to be OUT of charity. Entirely.)