i have always been amazed at the "generosity" of humans.  the other day i was trying to get my tiny little mind around the concept of "giving."  here is what i came-up with, tell me what you think:

most americans give to non-profit organizations, yet when asked if they would continue to give if the tax credit was removed from the table, they said they would not give - my question is this, is giving with the promise of something in return truly giving?

the other day i was listening to a local radio station and they were advertising a "can food drive" sponsored by a large food chain store.  they advertised that "last year 'food chain' donated over 50,000 cans of food in the vegas valley."  yet, they actually donated nothing at all.  let me see if i get this right, i go to the 'food chain' and buy a can of food, for full price, then drop it in a 'special bin' for the needy and 'food chain' says they donated the food?  am i missing something?  'food chain' makes the money on the sale, then gets the tax brake for the donation - i think this is called a scam?

most people believe feeding the homeless is important, yet most people have never been inside of a "feeding kitchen."  locally, the mayor and "father joe" from "mash village" have been calling each other names and threatening each other - all in the name of love, compassion and the homeless.  i have heard elected officials claim this one - "jesus himself said that the poor would be with us always - so we can't solve the problem."  i love when elected officials try to quote scripture, they just look so "silly" (i wanted to use a stronger word but pastor john suggested i not).  yes, in john (12:4-8), jesus did say that the poor would be with us always, but he never said we should not try to feed them or solve the problems facing the poor.  to use the scripture as an excuse to do nothing is weak, lame and totally outside of the intended statement.

if feeding the hungry is a priority for people, why is it that during november and december feeding kitchens are filled with volunteers, but during the rest of the time those same kitchens need to beg for help and donations?  you see, i have always believed that my christianity has to move me beyond my comfort zone and into the "uncomfort zone."  it requires that i try to do the impossible and question those who abuse the status quo.  most of the time people would end this type of article with the traditional - "let's try to be better next year."  but that seems so wrong - let us not try, let us be - and let us not wait until next november of december, let's keep our eyes on a year around commitment.  

PuNk mOnKEy -