“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in
very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but
made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death– even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8 NIV)
In his Bleak House Dickens included a female character who gave her
charity only to projects across the seas. She was a hypocrite. She never
concerned herself with issues or people with needs near her home. She only
practiced a “telescopic philanthropy.”
charity only to projects across the seas. She was a hypocrite. She never
concerned herself with issues or people with needs near her home. She only
practiced a “telescopic philanthropy.”
Of course, telescopic
philanthropy is easy to do because we always hear about the big projects around
the world. There are tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and fires. Modern media brings huge disasters right to
our living room as soon as they happen. And rightly so, our emotions are
stirred. We want to be involved in any way we can.
philanthropy is easy to do because we always hear about the big projects around
the world. There are tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and fires. Modern media brings huge disasters right to
our living room as soon as they happen. And rightly so, our emotions are
stirred. We want to be involved in any way we can.
Basically, I can see only one problem
with this scenario. What about the neighbor next door who is out of work? What
about the family across the street who is experiencing a great tragedy? What
about the group home on your block that needs help to give addicts a second
chance? What about the ministries in your church? What about serving that
elderly neighbor who needs a ride to the doctor’s office or grocery store?
with this scenario. What about the neighbor next door who is out of work? What
about the family across the street who is experiencing a great tragedy? What
about the group home on your block that needs help to give addicts a second
chance? What about the ministries in your church? What about serving that
elderly neighbor who needs a ride to the doctor’s office or grocery store?
It boils down to attitude. We can
be telescopic or myopic. But we actually need a little of both types of giving.
Telescopic philanthropy focuses on needs in faraway places. Myopic philanthropy
focuses on needs in our immediate environment. I believe we may conclude that
Christ’s attitude would include both. Do the one while not ignoring the other.
be telescopic or myopic. But we actually need a little of both types of giving.
Telescopic philanthropy focuses on needs in faraway places. Myopic philanthropy
focuses on needs in our immediate environment. I believe we may conclude that
Christ’s attitude would include both. Do the one while not ignoring the other.
Dear Father, thank you for your
attitude toward us. Empower us to align our attitude with Christ’s. This I pray
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
attitude toward us. Empower us to align our attitude with Christ’s. This I pray
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
with Christ’s attitude,