Friday, February 18, 2011

State of our world: Pt I - UNdistribution












If there could be one fact, one statistic that can fully describe the state of our world... it is this:
"... the richest 10% of adults accounted for 85% of the world total. In contrast, the bottom half of the world adult population owned barely 1% of global wealth."
Or how about ...
"One half of the world population lives on less than $2 per day. 160 million live on less than 50 cents. At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day."
Many people in this world have come up with amazing plans and strategies to eliminate poverty in this world... but the best and simplest strategy was proposed long ago: Share the wealth.

Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.

When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home." Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, "What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?"

Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, "Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I'm caught cheating, I pay four times the damages."

Jesus said, "Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham! For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost."
(Don't believe the statistics? Search it up on Google to confirm.)

Stay tuned for Part II - Contrasts

2 comments:

  1. This reminds me of Acts 4:32-37 ...
    it was part of the Jewish culture to give up everything to the apostles to distribute to the community.
    How awesome would humankind be if everyone were to follow these customs? but to many, money = security

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  2. Fueng, I know! It would really bridge the divide between the rich and poor, the blessed and the oppressed.

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