randzig

Who Gives? 

According to SHLOG Arthur Brooks, the author of “Who Really Cares”, “The two most generous groups in America are the rich and the working poor,” says Brooks. “The middle class give the least. But the working poor give the largest percentage of their incomes to those in need, a more sizeable chunk than the rich – 30 percent more.”
Whether this statement is true or not its definitely true from what I have seen.  I feel this way because almost everyone I know is in the “middle class” and practically everyone I know is struggling and unable to give.  Even the ones who you think have money really don’t have any(liquid at least).  Oops I said it.  Seems like nobody wants to admit it.  I have an uncle that was apart of a successful business and made a good income.  This uncle once said, “we are all in debt it is just at different levels”.  Meaning that no matter what a person makes they are likely still living beyond their means.  For many it might not be that they don’t have enough income as much as it is a matter of budgeting it better.  I hope that is the case.  Whatever the case is I’m seeing that people need to live smaller.  Meaning need to live below their means not above.  This is true for me.  And I admit my budget can be a beast to get under control.  Especially when you want to put your kid in a reliable car seat and not the Walmart brand.

Whats The Excuse? 

Food for thought: 

60% of a cars value is lost in 4 years
The average mileage put on a car is 12-15,000 / year
People own vehicles for average of 6-8 years

I was thinking about these statistics I mentioned previously when blogging about the new minivan and realized I left one important stat out.  Regarding how much a typical American spends on housing and auto.  Its now something like 60%.  So you work hard just to put 60% of your hard earned money into your house and car?  “You might say well its a great investment”, but that really depends.  With the way people are viewing their houses today as ATMs I tend to disagree. And cars… I don’t need to say a thing.  I know its probably the norm but 60% blows my mind the more I think about it.  To connect the 60% with the first point regarding the middle class I must say that it really explains itself.  If we spend 60% of our income on just two expenses then of course we don’t have money to give.  It is the harsh reality of trying keep up with The Jones’s.

The Reality 

Lately I’ve been feeling called to spend less on myself and give more away.  Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying I spend alot on myself now. Because truth be told Morée and I both are in need of some really basic things.  With that said I also realize that I’m living like a king in my current situation.  So don’t think for a second this is a rant about what I don’t have.  Scripture like the two mentioned below lead me to thinking this way…and this is just a couple of them.

 This is a interesting verse because it states specifically that the theif who used to steal from others in order to provide for himself changes in that he begins to work just so he can share with those who are in need.  That is the radical life we are called to.
Ephesians 4:28
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

1 John 3:17-18 says that if you have this world’s goods, and you know of brothers and sisters who are in need, and you can meet those needs, and you don’t do it, you can’t say that you have the love of God in your heart.  Cuts deep huh?
17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

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