THE EDITOR, Sir: IT IS generally accepted that the distribution of wealth in Jamaica is far from equal. There are a number of persons who may not even be aware of some of their bank accounts, while some persons do not have what it takes to start one.
When it comes to having a meal, some persons are confused because they have too much to choose from, while others are confused because there is nothing to choose from.
This discrepancy has caused many persons to play the blame game. The onus to make things better is many times placed at the feet of the Government, sometimes at the feet of the private sector, and at other times the less fortunate are blamed for the predicament in which they find themselves. The Church is sometimes blamed for being too silent, sleeping, or dead - and what is meant by this, is that prominent church leaders are not vocal enough in helping to curse the Government, private sector, or whoever.
I would like to make an appeal to Christians not to be members of the blame game bandwagon. Christ made it known to us that we will always have the poor with us (Matthew 26: 11) and we are commanded as to the kind of attitude we should take towards our needy brothers and sisters. We are not called only to fight against systems, or even to work to transform them (as noble as this may be), but we need to do tangible things to help those in need. Deuteronomy 15:7 tells us we should not harden our hearts or shut our hands from our poor brothers (and sisters). 1 John 3: 18 states, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
What would be more effective if we saw someone hungry - calling a talk-show programme and blasting the Government, or sharing our food with the person? Talking can be good, but if more of us as Christians were really opening our hearts and being generous to our neighbour, we would be making a far greater impact on the lives of others.
Jesus' parable about the good Samaritan gives us a good example of what it means to love others.
The Samaritan did not pray for the injured man and leave. He did not go home and call Mutty to curse P.J. and Omar about fiscal policies and their impact on criminality. He did not write to a newspaper to advise Sister P. as to how to address the issue. He instead, did all that was in his power to help the man in need. Fellow Christians, are we really satisfied that we are doing all in our power to help those around us?
I am, etc.,
