Our nation raises $2.1 billion twice a year at a rate of $2 a ticket for a 1 in 300 million chance of winning the Powerball or Mega Millions lottery – we raise these life changing funds year after year knowing it’s nearly impossible for us to win – statistically its zero percent chance of any return on that investment whether we buy 1 or 1000 lottery tickets.
In contrast, when an opportunity to provide resources to help “the least of these” develops, many of us critique, second guess, and harshly evaluate the need many times more than we do our participation in the lottery.
Sadly, it appears we’ll regularly fund a 1 in 300 million chance (near zero) of winning a lottery faster, with less thought, and more focus on ourselves…
…than we’ll consider funding (at the same rate) the hungry, unhoused, abused, oppressed, and victims of destructive environments.
This assessment does not apply to all of us – but the evidence is clear – this assessment does apply to most of us.
“The least of these” are all around us all the time – helping them is never easy – it’s always costly – it requires hands on support – it will challenge our many personal comfort spaces – but it’s a core biblical principle for those who call themselves Christian.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”
“And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
Now go…
Kevin's Thoughts 