With the bushfire emergency in Victoria there has been a huge amount of support raised around Australia. This is great and I'm proud to see that all over the country we are wanting to help people in their hour of need.
But also other things related to this make me a little uncomfortable, and it's to do with all types of charities, not just the bush fire relief. Like when you go into a shopping centre and there is a big banner announcing how much money they have given to the cause. When some stores promise to give a certain amount from each packet of biscuits, or whatever sold. When you see ads which show how much a company has pledged to help a charity.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they are giving. In a time of economic crisis when we hear about losses and falling whatever it's nice to see big companies giving back to the community. But I always have the feeling like it's part of their advertising campaign.
As if they are saying "Come and buy from us, we are such a nice and good company."
Can't they just give because it's a good cause without trying to get something for themselves? They don't have to hide the fact they gave, just not broadcast it so much.
Maybe I'm being idealistic. Maybe I'm creating a problem out of nothing.
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
March 12, 2009
March 11, 2008
Are we actually different?
Some more thoughts from Beyond Greed
This version of the book has extra articles at the end of the chapters by different Christian writers which I have also been enjoying. One by Carmelina Read has this paragraph;
“We say we believe in Jesus. We say that matter isn’t all that matters. But at the same time we own just as much as our neighbours. We spend just as much time worrying about our possessions as our neighbours do. We’ve got the same dreams and goals as our non-Christian neighbours. We still spend the majority of our time working for a successful career. Like our pagan neighbours we spend most of our money on our houses, our cars, our kid’s education, our holidays, our overseas trips, our superannuation, investments, nice clothes and furniture.”
That really challenged me. Am I really different? Am I living as a shining light in a dark world? Or am I letting the concerns of the world snuff out my light? (That metaphor doesn't read very well - but you know what I mean)
When hours at work were cut back I complained just as much as my non-christian workmates. When I got my tax return I thought immediately of what I could spend it on for me. I still spend alot of time looking through junk mail and catalogues deciding which top I like better and what DVD I want to buy next. I sit with my uni friends and worry with them about how I'm going to make the money I have stretch to what I want, while wasting it on junk food and soft drinks.
One thing this book has challenged me to do is start a budget. I always thought it would be too hard because I don't have a fixed income. But it only takes 10 minutes every fortnight to work out what amount goes where. I let myself have a small amount per week, put a bit into savings and give the rest away. By writing down exactly what I spend my 'allowance on I can see where it goes and I know when it's gone, it's gone so I'm more careful about spending it.
I realise I can go without a lot of the things I thought I needed. I'm trying to learn that;
Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
(Photo: Michelle Dennis 2008 )
This version of the book has extra articles at the end of the chapters by different Christian writers which I have also been enjoying. One by Carmelina Read has this paragraph;
“We say we believe in Jesus. We say that matter isn’t all that matters. But at the same time we own just as much as our neighbours. We spend just as much time worrying about our possessions as our neighbours do. We’ve got the same dreams and goals as our non-Christian neighbours. We still spend the majority of our time working for a successful career. Like our pagan neighbours we spend most of our money on our houses, our cars, our kid’s education, our holidays, our overseas trips, our superannuation, investments, nice clothes and furniture.”
That really challenged me. Am I really different? Am I living as a shining light in a dark world? Or am I letting the concerns of the world snuff out my light? (That metaphor doesn't read very well - but you know what I mean)
When hours at work were cut back I complained just as much as my non-christian workmates. When I got my tax return I thought immediately of what I could spend it on for me. I still spend alot of time looking through junk mail and catalogues deciding which top I like better and what DVD I want to buy next. I sit with my uni friends and worry with them about how I'm going to make the money I have stretch to what I want, while wasting it on junk food and soft drinks.
One thing this book has challenged me to do is start a budget. I always thought it would be too hard because I don't have a fixed income. But it only takes 10 minutes every fortnight to work out what amount goes where. I let myself have a small amount per week, put a bit into savings and give the rest away. By writing down exactly what I spend my 'allowance on I can see where it goes and I know when it's gone, it's gone so I'm more careful about spending it.
I realise I can go without a lot of the things I thought I needed. I'm trying to learn that;
Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
(Photo: Michelle Dennis 2008 )
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