HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
By Dr. Duane Weeks, Yuma AZ
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:19-21
With the hope of storing up a few treasures in heaven, eighteen Christians, mostly from Gloria de Cristo Lutheran Church in Yuma, Arizona, volunteered at the Foundation mission in Baja, California during Thanksgiving week last fall.
All of us gained a greater appreciation of the Foundation and its outreach. Most of us found a sense of belonging, a feeling of being needed by others. Many experienced an enhancement of our relationship with God. Several discovered renewal of our Christian lives. Some have already planned to return.
What did we do during our week at the mission? Just as many before and after us, we worked with children in handicapped daycare rooms, with computers in the office, and we sorted and cracked nuts in the nuthouse. We reroofed a building, rearranged goods in the warehouse, made deliveries, and sanded doors. We helped in the kitchen, sewing room, nursery, soup kitchen, and carpentry shop. We worked hard, tired early, slept well, and had a fantastic and satisfying week.
Because it was Thanksgiving, we took 40 turkeys to the mission for Thanksgiving dinner. Children, staff, volunteers and visitors all enjoyed a succulent Thanksgiving feast. We also took more than two dozen quilts donated to the Mission by quilters in a Yuma RV park.
And we took peanut butter, an excellent source of protein and very important in the development of malnourished children.
When wealthy philanthropist Nelson Rockefeller was asked, “How much is enough,” he smiled and replied, “Just a little bit more.” He was, of course, talking about money and not peanut butter. How much is enough food, worldly treasure, or charity?
Are we more concerned with accumulating wealth, having things, and living above our needs than we are with helping those who cannot help themselves?
“Compared to 99% of history’s human population…or even compared to the vast majority of people in the world today, we are rich indeed.” - Arthur Simon
Since we are rich, and most others are very, very poor, what is our responsibility toward the poor?
“People with money can always buy food; famine affects only the poor….Children are the first victims.” Ronald J. Sider
Who is caring for the children?
Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved many Jewish lives during World War II, later remarked “I could have gotten more out….I didn’t do enough.”
Mr. Schindler believed he could have saved more Jewish lives. He did wonderful, Godly work. Yet, he did not do enough.
Two friends were walking along the beach at low tide. One bent over, picked up a starfish, and gently tossed it back into the water. “Why bother,” the other remarked, “there are thousands of starfish stranded on the beach, and you can’t possibly save enough to make a difference.” The first man looked at his friend, smiled and replied, “I sure made a difference to that one.”
We too can make a difference. Let’s try. How much is enough?