We Gave The Money Back
We gave the money back.
Remember Doug and the United Methodist Church in Johnson City? They were generous and hospitable and helped us stay in a hotel when we asked for help.
At the time we rationalized it on the grounds that we never asked to be put up in a hotel. It couldn’t have been our responsibility to deny the charity.
Our exact words were, “we’re just looking for anywhere inside to sleep”. We would have been thrilled to be able to sleep on someone’s floor. It wasn’t our fault they wanted to waste the money.
But, looking back on it, it was our responsibility to make sure that money was not wasted.
We could have directly asked if there was a floor that we could sleep on, we could have said, no, give that money to someone that needs it more.
But, the truth is, we were scared, and we didn’t know what else to do.
So we sent it back.
This is an example of when our rules didn’t align with our principles.
The rule that we were following was $32.25 per day, maximum, which is derived from our principle of being responsible with God’s resources and to try and help others over ourselves.
By following the money rule, we were breaking the principle.
We have abandoned the rules now.
Comments
Thank you.
so what exactly are you doing to help people??? habitat for humanity.... missionary work.... something else??
I think that’s cool. I think is an impressive evolution. One thought for you. You started the trip to break away from societies rules, but you jumped too far in creating new ones (that seems like what you are trying to say). What you really want out of this trip is better judgement, right? Thats what I took from the whole parable thing, But the leap from rules to judgement, after living a quarter-century rules based, is a tough one. A more effective learning curve may be to move from rules to guidelines. Working in and around your own personal guidelines will create principles (most people act their way into new beliefs rather that believe their way into new actions). Once you are secure in your principles your judgement develops.
Its like this (yes—my apostrophe key is broken—so no contractions) wisdom is the goal. Where does wisdom come from? Good judgement. Where does good judgement come from? Experience. Where do we get experience? BAD judgement! So every time adjust your path you get closer to your goal.
Keep growin Bro - Jiminy