The Right Thing

The following article appeared in Saturday's London Free Press.  Having been to Uganda I found it extremely interesting and relevant to our discussion on a Christian's view of the poor.

Is haggling over price sometimes wrong?


By Jeffrey L. Seglin, Tribune Media Services,

The Right Thing

Posted 03/26/2013 at 5:30 pm EST

In early March, a California returned returned from a trip to Uganda to visit the mountain gorillas there. Her tour was quite expensive. She traveled with many of the same people on this tour, most of whom travel throughout the world at least once a year, if not more.

While in Uganda, they visited the Batwa people at a small demonstration village they have established in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

"In a country where many adults earn less than one dollar a day, the Batwa are considered much more impoverished," she writes. "Many of the children we saw appeared malnourished. All children and adults were very, very thin."

The Batwa people had displayed an array of handmade items for the tourists to purchase, including beaded jewelry, wood carvings and handmade baskets. "All prices were well below what would be charged in a village shop or in a U.S. fair trade business," my reader writes.

But she takes issue with the fact that several of her fellow travelers insisted on bargaining down the Batwa peoples to half the price they were charging for their goods or less. "One Batwa woman was asking the equivalent of $7.20 for a lovely hand-woven tray," my reader writes. "She was offered and accepted $3.60.

After she raised her concern about negotiating the prices down on the goods being sold one of the women on the trip with whom she had traveled before explained to my reader: "They love to bargain and expect to come down in price. They'd be very hurt if you didn't bargain and they'd think you were stupid."

My reader responded: "Sure, they'd rather get half the amount than have the money to feed their kids or to purchase firewood for cooking. I don't care if they think I'm stupid." She reports that the conversation went downhill from there.

Later in their tour, their tour leader who -- a biologist who has spent a good deal of time in Africa -- thanked her for paying the asking price for the goods offered.

"Was I wrong?" my reader asks about paying the asking price rather than negotiating -- and raising the issue with her fellow travelers.

My reader wasn't wrong to pay full price. She also wasn't wrong to raise the conversation with her fellow travelers about the ethics of negotiating already low prices down with people who seemed like they could use the money. They each saw similar situations in the village and could determine whether it was appropriate to haggle or not. That my reader chose to pay full price in an effort to pay what she deemed to be a fair price for the goods received is laudable.

What's curious, however, is that no one on the trip, such as the tour leader who had spent a good deal of time in the region, saw fit to give the tourists guidance. That she thanked my reader for paying for full price suggests the tour guide had an opinion on the right thing to do in the situation. The right thing would have been for her to share that opinion with the tourists she led through the marketplace. The choices they made based on that opinion would have been entirely theirs to make.

Taking Advantage

I once heard that a minister who was helping the poor was asked if he ever thought that the people he was helping took advantage of his generosity.  His answer made an impact on my thinking.  He said, "Probably but that is okay, maybe that will be the only advantage they will ever get."
We read about telephone scams that take advantage of people, usually the elderly or the uninformed.  Are we prepared to have others take advantage of us?  That simple answer made me evaluate how I respond to those in need. 

But you encourage them

When we lived in the Philippines we often had people come to our gate asking for food, a drink of water, clothes, or just to talk.  They would see us come home and come running down the street to our gate.  One of our missionaries told us that we were encouraging them by giving them something to eat or drink.  I couldn't help think of Christ's words when He said, "As much as you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me."  I wonder how that missionary would have responded if Christ was the one asking for food or a drink of water?  Of course we encouraged them because they needed our help.  Our only disappointment was that we could do only so much. 

In the Philippines we saw a lot of poverty; beggars on the street, people living in squatter homes, etc.  Moses reminded the Israelites that it was their responsibility to care for the poor.

Poverty, social or relgious problem?

In the post of March 25 I had an extensive quote from Gene Veith's book which showed how society perpetuates poverity rather than solve the problem.  Poverty is really a religous problem.  Chrysostom said, "not to give to the poor was to commit robbery against them."  Augustine said that not to give to the poor was akin to fraud.
Christians have a responsility to the poor.  Jesus said that if we do not give to the poor we have not given to Him.  "For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’  “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"  Matthew 25:42 - 45
Moses instructed the people, "At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns,  so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."  Deuteronomy 14:28, 29
Could it be that we are missing the blessing because we are not caring for the poor?

Entitlement

How should the church view poverty in the world?  I found what Gene Veith had to say in his book, Postmodern Times, very interesting.

"Just as the social engineers have taken over education, postmodernist ideology molds other government policies and attempts at social reform as well.  Marvin Olasky has described how efforts to help the poor have shifted.  In the classical model of welfare, aid to the poor was primarily handled by the church.  Those who were helped and those who did the helping had a personal relationship.  The charity aimed at lifting people out of their economic problems by attending to spiritual as well as material needs.   Moral reform and character building - through work, responsibility, and spiritual transformation - enabled people to escape poverty.
"In the modern model of welfare, the government played a larger role.  Reaching its high point with the New Deal, modern welfare offered a rational plan to provide temporary help and employment for the indigent.  Like the classical model, modern welfare restricted itself to those truly in need.  Accepting welfare was embarrassing.  Both the system and the recipients were geared toward getting people off of welfare and into the economic mainstream as soon as possible.  As with modernist art and architecture, modernists welfare was rational, efficient, and minimalistic.
"The postmodern model of welfare began with the Great Society of the 1960s.  Its principle is entitlement.  People began to see welfare benefits as rights.  They no longer viewed the poor as individuals who must be helped to improve their lot.  Rather, the poor are an aggrieved group, made so by the society.  Thus they have no individual responsibility.  'Welfare rights' groups were established, led not by the poor people but by the affluent New Class activists.  Entitlement programs multiplied.  The stigma against taking welfare payments diminished.
"Rather than ending poverty, postmodern welfare made it permanent.  The poor acquired a new status, as a subculture, a protected group.  Social mobility ground to a halt.  The work ethic diminished.  Economic incentives to marry evaporated.  Traditional values fell apart."

Distractions 2

Today we have many preachers who think that they have to be entertaining in the pulpit in order to attract people to their churches.  Some run around the platform, others swing onto the stage by a rope, some yell and use what I would consider inappropriate language.  In doing this they think they are drawing people to Christ. 
I remember listening to a great pastor preacher, Keith Price.  He said that he use to be very mobile when he was preaching until he discovered that his antics were distracting people from the message.  At that point he choose to take a microphone on a stand and stand behind that microphone with only his Bible in his hand while he preached.  He wanted the people to see Christ not Keith Price.
We can be so distracted by the ordinary things around us that we don't need the preacher to distract us as well.  We have come to see Jesus. 
Some may say that they are doing this so that people will seek Jesus.  That is more than foolish that is wrong.  Jesus said that He would draw people to Him.  Can we trust Him to do that or do we think He needs our help?  Preach Christ and stand behind the cross and He will draw people to him.

Keith Price with two of my sons and my oldest son's wife.  What a joy to have met and fellowshipped with this man.  May his tribe increase.

Inukshuk

Inukshuks are monuments made of unworked stones that are used by the Inuit for communication and survival. The traditional meaning of the inukshuk is "Someone was here" or "You are on the right path."  If you drive through northwestern Ontario you will see these unique piles of stone along the highway.  I also saw them in the mountains of British Columbia.

My son had a friend from the USA who saw these piles of stone along the highway and kept stopping and destroying them.  He thought they were idols and he felt that it was his responsibility to destroy any idols that he saw.  We do not live in a theocracy and therefore we are not commanded to break down another's idols.  If we were then we would have to destroy cars, homes, boats, jewelry, and so much more.  The command to us is not to destroy other people's idols but to destroy the idols in our own lives.

Distractions

Your iPhone or Smart phone can do many amazing things today.  As the commercial says "it can even make phone calls".  You can have your books on it, videos, games, Internet and  yes, even the Bible.  The Bible program or App can be great as you can have whatever version of the Bible you wish, NIV, KJV, NASB, ESV or ABC.  But what happens when we use it in church?  I still favour having the original, no not the scroll, but the book version.  At least with the book version you are not tempted in church to read your email, check facebook, text your friend or play a game.  Worship is about God but our phones have made it so we can do anything else, especially if the sermon goes too long or we don't like that particular chorus.  Your phone can be a good thing but I am afraid that it can be too much of a distraction for most people. 

Moses told the people that they were to worship God with the whole heart.  Can we do that while we have all these temptations at our finger tips?

Destroy Places of False Worship

Moses commanded the people that when they entered the land that they were to destroy all the places of worship where the Canaanites worshipped their false gods.  They were to tear down the Asherah poles and smash their idols.  How does that apply to us today?  Are we to go through our land destroying places of worship that don't worship the true God?
I was driving down Avenue Road in Toronto when I saw the following building.

This building was once the home of A. W. Tozer's Alliance congregation but it was purchased by a number company for the Hare Krishna.  Should we destroy that building?  Since we don't live in a theocracy we must allow false religions have their places of worship.  Our goal is not to destroy the building but to convert the people and thus make the buildings empty. 

I was saddened to see that this once glorious church now being used by a false religion.

One Place to Worship

Moses was concerned that when the people entered the land and became prosperous they would forget the Lord their God.  He was concerned that they would see the way others worshipped their gods and would be like them.  That is why he told them that they were to worship God in the place that He would designate.  God determined how and where He was to be worshipped.

Today we don't have a set place to worship.  When the Samaritan woman asked Jesus where they should worship He told her that the time would come when the place would not matter but the attitude of the heart would.  That time is now.  Jesus said that He was to be worshipped in spirit and in truth.  He is the truth.  He is the One we are to worship.

So what does that mean for us today?  We must not compromise our worship.  There is one God and He alone is to be worshipped.  He is not the god that the Muslim's worship.  He is not the new age god.  He is God Almighty, Creator and Redeemer.  When we choose to join non-Christians in worship, in a multi-faith worship service, we are not worshipping the God of the Bible. 

White Tailed Deer

Last fall I was driving home and as I came around a corner I saw a herd of deer grazing by the side of the road.  I immediately pulled over and stopped and soon a number of cars had stopped.  People got out of their cars and were taking pictures and talking in low quiet voices.  People were in awe of the sight that was before them.
Why do we stand in awe when we see wild animals or whales but when we come into worship we do not seem to have that same awe?  After all we are coming into the presence of the One who made these beautiful creatures. 

Manna

Manna everyday.  Finally the people started to complain.  They longed for leeks, garlic and other such foods that Egypt had to offer instead of the food of angels.  They became ungrateful.  Moses reminds the people in Deuteronomy 8 to be a grateful people.  They were given food that they didn't have to labour for.  Their clothes did not wear out neither did their shoes.  They were ungrateful.
The Word of God is heaven's food for our souls and yet we long for something more.  We want the leeks and garlic that the world offers instead of the Word of God.  We are an ungrateful people.

Sharing my burden

My heart is overwhelmed when I think that my class shares my burden.  My burden after visiting Uganda last  year is to support the boys home in Kabale.  My dream was that by putting the money for one coffee per week we could send $100 each month to the ministry.  However, it has far and away exceeded that one coffee per week.  This month I will be sending $500.  I know they need the money but this is more than I ever expected.  I sure hope Patrick, my friend who runs this ministry, will be able to visit Canada and to visit our class.  All I can say is "thank you".  May you be blessed as I know the boys in Kabale are blessed.

Panama Goodbye

Two weeks ago I came to Panama without any expectations.  Since arriving here I have visited many wonderful places such as the Panama Canal, the old city, the jungle and I have spent a great deal of time at the Panama Christian Academy.  Here I have taught grade 6 and 7 mathematics, grade  6 Bible and observed many other teachers.  I hope I have been an encouragement to them as there seems to be so little support for Mathematics teachers here.
It has also been a joy to work with my brother and his wife and see how they have approached retirement.  Retirement for a Christian should be a change.  The change is not from working to resting but from working to support our families to service.  The gifts and talents that God has given to us so that we can do our jobs are not taken away from us when we retire.  We should continue to use them for His glory and for His kingdom.  Retirement should not be the same for a Christian as it is for and unbeliever.  If you are thinking of retirement plan to take some time to rest but then see what God has for you.  There is nothing more rewarding than using what God has given you for His glory.
Tomorrow I go home and I begin to think about another year.  Maybe I won't be able to continue to do this but as long as the Lord gives me strength I want to use my gifts and talents for His glory.

Embera

Yesterday we made a trip up the Chagres River to the village of Embera Drua.  Approximately one hundred people live in this village which is mainly Christian.  When the area became a national park the people adapted and they started welcoming tourists.
We travelled for approximately forty five minutes up the river to the village where we were welcomed by the residents.  One young lady who will be graduating from university in the fall had a small part in the movie, The End of the Spear. 
After a delightful lunch of talapia which they caught that morning in the river and fresh fruits they performed dances and music for us. 
It is interesting to see how missions have transformed people.  They have become self supporting and are using opportunities to improve their lives.

Panama

I haven't posted for the past week because I have been in Panama at the Panama Christian Academy.  I never thought that my knowledge of mathematics education would be of any use thirteen, almost fourteen, year after retirement.  I have talked to mathematics teachers, taught grade six and seven mathematics classes and Bible classes.  I will be posting next week when I return home. 
What are my impressions of Panama?  Hot, muggy, and modern.  Heavy traffic and lots of nice cars.  Fast food and overweight Panamanians.  The amazing canal and the large ships passing through.

Why is God's love a difficult doctrine?

What is meant when the Bible says that God is love?  It could mean a number of things.
First, there is the particular love of the Father for the Son, and of the Son for the Father.  Read John's gospel and see particularly 3:35; 5:20 and 14:31.
Second, God loves all He has made.  We see that in the first two chapters of the Bible.
Third, God loves the fallen world.  The best known Bible verse, John 3:16, tells us that.
Fourth, God has a special love for His elect.  It may be the nation of Israel in the time of Moses or the church as a body of individuals.
Finally, God's love is sometimes shown to be conditional upon obedience.
So what is meant in Deuteronomy 7?  God has a special love for His people Israel but we are told that it is because God choose to love them not because they deserved His love.