Deed and Greed

Many of us would have probably heard that the recent economic turmoil was partially caused by the overreaching greed of a group of people. Yes, some blamed the greedy bankers and financiers, others blame the Feds and the regulators, and many also blamed speculators both big and small. Well, we cannot pinpoint exactly who's responsible for this whole mess, but very likely many of us are responsible to this mess to a certain extent (some may be more responsible than the others).

Honestly, the recession not only bring difficulties and troubles to the poor and those who were trapped in the financial problems, but it also brings out "excellent" opportunity for those who have money and able to leverage themselves. The abundant foreclosing had prompted many people who used to "own" homes but now forced to rent. Rental rates is steady and actually going up in certain areas. And even amidst the high foreclosure rates, some realtors and few friends who are buying houses actually told me that they saw multiple bids over properties in desirable areas and for investment properties.

I don't blame the rich and their opportunistic approaches, but I think it was the consequences of the "capitalistic" countries. The rich will have bigger and better opportunity to become richer (in the best scenario). It's good for them. If those were godly Christians, I am "forcing" myself to be happy for them, just as Paul the apostle's message to the church in Rome (Rm 12:15). Why do I say "forcing myself"? Sadly, it was because of my sinful human nature, I know that deep inside we have the tendency to be jealous to others who are more successful than us, while overlooking those who are less fortunate than us.

My only wish was that those who have more will feel more compelled to do more with the more resources that they have. How many of us have hardened our heart when we saw the story of suffering and difficulties experienced by those among us? No, I am not talking about poor and malnourished children in Africa that we often saw in TV commercials sponsored by different charity groups. I am talking about those nearby, the panhandlers on the street corners? The homeless on the streets?

There are many reasons or logic that we can use to justify our actions. I remember an old colleague who used to tell me that those homeless or panhandlers are lazy bums who do not want to look for jobs. He told me that those healthy young men should just look for jobs like the Hispanics who often gathered in Home Depot's parking lots and looking for hourly jobs. Well, he may indeed be correct, but once again, how do we know for sure that the panhandler was indeed lazy? Some other colleague used to argue that those homeless are simply "spoiled," they just want to get easy money to buy booze. And once again, I think his observation was also true, I saw some panhandlers who just bought a can of beer at a gas station after he finished his "shift" at a certain street intersection. But I would like to remind myself once again, how do we know that he was not simply addicted to beer, or whether or not he had eaten at all?

Honestly, I am also guilty to this terrible over-thinking (generalizing) and stereotyping, and that I need to learn to not speak out my mind too quickly when I saw those people. When I have money, I will always try to give them (without any prejudice or stereotypical mind), but when I don't, I would simply ask forgiveness from God that I cannot give. To be fair, as poor as I am, I probably still have more money in my wallet than that person at the street intersection, however, I often felt so difficult to part from my limited amount of money. I probably could eat cheaper food, or perhaps skip a meal altogether (I know that I need to lose weight anyway), but I often simply can't do that. I guess I still love my money even though they're not much at all. Maybe that's the true definition of greed.

In that case, I often just did what some Christians often did, simply wish them mercy from God (sounds religious, ain't it?) and that they can have a great day so that they can at least have enough foods for the day and a good healthy rest. It's probably the safest solution for some of us who wants to be "safe" and not violating our personal conviction. Never did we know, that by doing so, we acted exactly just like the Priest and Levite in Jesus's story of the Good Samaritan.

In my head, I am quite aware that it was not really the best reaction for the problem, but even as I know it, I still found it very difficult to do. I found it easy to just read over James's epistle and simply skip or ignore his warning about our greed. James had sternly warned believers who see those who are less fortunate to do something and not just express our "wistful" thinking while we still have something at our tables. Once again, I admit that I am still guilty to this sin too. And there's still more to learn.