"I am not a charity case"
So, this past weekend, I got the opportunity to go to Ag School which is a training program through Reach ministries. My campus ministry, Ichthus is huge on training up new Christian leaders. Little did I know that my mind would be so boggled...in a good way!
A Changed definition:
I actually learned that charity's definition has been confused with alms. Biblically, alms means the physical donation or thing that is being transferred. Acts 3:2 says, "And a man who had been lame from his mother's womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple."
Charity in the Bible, does not mean what dictionary.com claims. It actually means Agape love described in 1 Corinthians 13. "Charity is patient. Charity is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast..."
Exchanging the truth for a lie...
"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ...They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen" (Romans 1:21-23,25).
God is not telling us to keep from giving alms or donations. In fact, I know as a believer I am called to tithe with a cheerful heart (2 Cor. 9:7). However, if you find yourself in a place where you are giving money without charity (love) then it would be better for you to keep that money to yourself.
A Higher Calling!
Those of you who wear the name Christian...God has called you to something higher than just throwing your money. If you have a compassion child, write letters to them. If you give to a large organization and you feel disconnected from their mission, consider pulling back your money. Think about ways to invest in students that have a heart for missions by sending them to serve or awesome conferences like Urbana!
As Christians, it must be evident that we do works because of our faith, so that no one can boast in themselves. Plus, God has prepared them in advance for us to do in the first place! Take a look at the perfect example--Jesus. Jesus was active in social justice through the feeding of the 5,000 and the woman at the well. However, he made his purpose clear by talking about Bread of Life and the Living Water so that the glory may go to the Father.
Is this too hard? Well remember, you Cannot serve both God and Money (Matthew 6:24), so a choice will have to be made.
In Christ,
Ariel
Showing posts with label apathy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apathy. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Why don't people Care?
Hello!
So today, I came to the realization that people don't care about what is going on in the world. It hit me so hard and actually brought me to tears. So, I wrote a poem about it. Oddly enough, this poem is like an Ariel-rant and not the same as my other ones.
Written by: Ariel Anib
March 29, 2011
Apathetic
Trouble in Paradise
I love my house. My family. My friends. I am blessed.
I live in the land of opportunity. The USA.
But you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
One day you have everything, the next day, Nothing.
I trusted one man. And now look.
I am living on the streets.
No family. No friends. Everything I once knew, gone.
I live in the land of the free. The USA.
But I am in bondage.
That isn’t worst of my problems.
My situation has rendered me invisible.
Hundreds of people walk past me daily.
How do you look, but not really see?
My hurts. My bruises. My pain. My scars.
Can’t you see that I have lost my power.
Actions speak louder than words.
Well, to me they say the same thing. Nothing.
You say nothing. You do nothing.
While you sit in your comfortable place. Elevated on your own accord.
I continue to fight. I continue to scream.
Hoping that one day, you will hear me.
Some Institution
Knowledge is power.
13 years of school. But you pay to do more.
College. Class. Homework. Tests.
But there is more to this life.
So you commit. To everything.
Your identity lies in how much you do.
You do everything. Almost.
Organizations . Intramurals. Volunteer.
You climb the ladder. Member to President.
Now you’re somebody. You sit on committees.
124 hours of classes and you still are not satisfied.
After four. Five. Six years. You still can’t see me.
Consumed by your desire to do one thing.
Help yourself. Climbing the ladder.
Has allowed you to use my suffering as a rung.
I am still screaming. I am still fighting.
But your success has a megaphone.
Pharisees
When all doors closed. I saw one open.
They call you holy rollers. Bible thumpers.
But I know the truth. I know your doctrine.
I see your hearts. I see your passion.
But life in a one way street is dangerous.
You know what I need. You have the answers.
You fight for hope. Justice. Peace.
Bible studies. Sermons. Fellowship.
When does talking become more?
Division will conquer.
You walk looking at your feet.
With thoughts that they are not doing right.
Can’t you see that they are a part of your body.
Walk the talk. Practice what you preach.
Faith and deeds are interlocked.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is not just a story.
It is my testimony.
Listen. Turn an ear. To hear. My screams.
Fight with me. Fight for me.
Radical Jesus
I believe in God. Yahweh. Adonai.
The God I believe in Loves. Justice.
Mercy is his middle name.
I believe in Jesus. But my Jesus looks different. Than yours.
My Jesus was Radical.
The Jesus that I know was born in a manger.
A King. Lived as a carpenter.
He did not get Stuck in Christian circles.
He ate with tax collectors.
He healed lepers.
Society wrote them off. But my Jesus.
He wrote them a love letter.
Jezebel. Magdalene. Woman at the Well.
Time and time again. They were cursed.
Threatened. Abused. Despised.
My Jesus loved them. His love for them.
Was Real. When they screamed.
He heard them. He stopped in his tracks.
He told them to finally stop fighting.
So that he could do it for them.
Wake up
Listen to me. My voice hurts from screaming.
My strength has drained. I can’t fight anymore.
I need you. To hear me.
You have been daydreaming too long.
See my reality. Understand my life.
Stop blaming me.
Justice is bipartisan. And so is pain.
Call it what you want. Civic responsibility.
Religion. I don’t care.
Do whatever it takes for you to realize.
You are the plan. There is no plan B.
Wake up. Let my voice be your alarm clock.
There is suffering in this world.
People go hungry. Children get AIDS.
Women are forced to have sex.
My situation is not the exception.
I am among the masses.
Take off your Machiavelli face.
And do something.
Apathy is laziness. With consequence.
**Peace
So today, I came to the realization that people don't care about what is going on in the world. It hit me so hard and actually brought me to tears. So, I wrote a poem about it. Oddly enough, this poem is like an Ariel-rant and not the same as my other ones.
Written by: Ariel Anib
March 29, 2011
Apathetic
Trouble in Paradise
I love my house. My family. My friends. I am blessed.
I live in the land of opportunity. The USA.
But you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
One day you have everything, the next day, Nothing.
I trusted one man. And now look.
I am living on the streets.
No family. No friends. Everything I once knew, gone.
I live in the land of the free. The USA.
But I am in bondage.
That isn’t worst of my problems.
My situation has rendered me invisible.
Hundreds of people walk past me daily.
How do you look, but not really see?
My hurts. My bruises. My pain. My scars.
Can’t you see that I have lost my power.
Actions speak louder than words.
Well, to me they say the same thing. Nothing.
You say nothing. You do nothing.
While you sit in your comfortable place. Elevated on your own accord.
I continue to fight. I continue to scream.
Hoping that one day, you will hear me.
Some Institution
Knowledge is power.
13 years of school. But you pay to do more.
College. Class. Homework. Tests.
But there is more to this life.
So you commit. To everything.
Your identity lies in how much you do.
You do everything. Almost.
Organizations . Intramurals. Volunteer.
You climb the ladder. Member to President.
Now you’re somebody. You sit on committees.
124 hours of classes and you still are not satisfied.
After four. Five. Six years. You still can’t see me.
Consumed by your desire to do one thing.
Help yourself. Climbing the ladder.
Has allowed you to use my suffering as a rung.
I am still screaming. I am still fighting.
But your success has a megaphone.
Pharisees
When all doors closed. I saw one open.
They call you holy rollers. Bible thumpers.
But I know the truth. I know your doctrine.
I see your hearts. I see your passion.
But life in a one way street is dangerous.
You know what I need. You have the answers.
You fight for hope. Justice. Peace.
Bible studies. Sermons. Fellowship.
When does talking become more?
Division will conquer.
You walk looking at your feet.
With thoughts that they are not doing right.
Can’t you see that they are a part of your body.
Walk the talk. Practice what you preach.
Faith and deeds are interlocked.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is not just a story.
It is my testimony.
Listen. Turn an ear. To hear. My screams.
Fight with me. Fight for me.
Radical Jesus
I believe in God. Yahweh. Adonai.
The God I believe in Loves. Justice.
Mercy is his middle name.
I believe in Jesus. But my Jesus looks different. Than yours.
My Jesus was Radical.
The Jesus that I know was born in a manger.
A King. Lived as a carpenter.
He did not get Stuck in Christian circles.
He ate with tax collectors.
He healed lepers.
Society wrote them off. But my Jesus.
He wrote them a love letter.
Jezebel. Magdalene. Woman at the Well.
Time and time again. They were cursed.
Threatened. Abused. Despised.
My Jesus loved them. His love for them.
Was Real. When they screamed.
He heard them. He stopped in his tracks.
He told them to finally stop fighting.
So that he could do it for them.
Wake up
Listen to me. My voice hurts from screaming.
My strength has drained. I can’t fight anymore.
I need you. To hear me.
You have been daydreaming too long.
See my reality. Understand my life.
Stop blaming me.
Justice is bipartisan. And so is pain.
Call it what you want. Civic responsibility.
Religion. I don’t care.
Do whatever it takes for you to realize.
You are the plan. There is no plan B.
Wake up. Let my voice be your alarm clock.
There is suffering in this world.
People go hungry. Children get AIDS.
Women are forced to have sex.
My situation is not the exception.
I am among the masses.
Take off your Machiavelli face.
And do something.
Apathy is laziness. With consequence.
**Peace
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