Christian Self Congratulations and Haiti

There have been a number of news reports locally on churches and schools which have come to the aid of Haiti. In more than a few of these reports, there’s more than a little self congratulation going on. ‘We have raised…’ ‘We are sending…’ ‘We have assembled a team…’

So all this pointing to self raises an important question:  whatever happened to Jesus’ injunction that when believers do acts of charity, they don’t let their ‘left hand know what their right hand is doing’?

Who’s notifying the media about these efforts?  One can assume, probably correctly, that someone involved in the fund raising is calling or emailing their local media representatives.  I don’t think the media are calling around to churches and christian schools asking ‘are you guys helping with Haiti relief?’

There’s great things going on in Haiti relief.  And the greatest things are precisely the very things you’ll never hear about in the press, because those doing them aren’t looking for their 15 minutes of fame, they’re looking to help those hurting and in need.

If others boast of you, well and good.  But boasting of yourself when doing acts of charity in the name of Christ smells a bit of self-aggrandizement and is, therefore, charity of an un-christian nature.

A Thought Worth Thinking

It is not virtue which is the opposite of sin, but faith, just as it is not vice which is the essence of sin, but unbelief.  — Emil Brunner

Good For Him

As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might’ve gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring. Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling. Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

Good for him. Especially since he remarks

“I love the game, but I aspire to higher things,” he said. “I know I have no regrets.”

In our sports obsessed society, a gifted athlete who asserts that there’s more to life than a game is both an oddity and a marvel. So, again, good for him.  His decision reminds me of Scott Bailey‘s- a former pro hockey player who gave it up for a career in biblical studies.  I admire such persons.  They turn their backs on wealth and fame and follow a more meaningful path.