Haves and Have Nots

Eliminating poverty requires a willingness from each of us to recognize the worth of every human being. No matter the industry in which one engages or if one is currently disengaged – opportunities must be extended to ALL.  When we embrace the adage “I am my sisters and brothers keeper” we realize our every action and inaction contributes to the well-being or the demise of human life. 

Transformation of communities, destructive systems, political hubris, impoverished and suffering people groups, etc. occurs when we don’t abdicate our own role in said atrocities. Whether; we negligently wield the power; or are silent bystanders, as the miscreants’ (which some of us “good people” are) further disparities between the ‘haves and have nots’ – WE are responsible. Jesus said it best “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do” (Mark 2:17).

So, isn’t it incumbent upon each of us to point every effort toward wellness for those who are spiritually, physically, economically and emotionally sick? Are we to continue focusing only on compiling treasures for ourselves or are we to place our efforts to satisfying the needs of them who have not?

This poem, On Buying and Selling, by Khalil Gibran is a reminder that WE are responsible for the well-being of our sisters and brothers:

"And a merchant said, "Speak to us of Buying and Selling." 

And he answered and said: 

To you the earth yields her fruit, and you shall not want if you but know how to fill your hands. 

It is in exchanging the gifts of the earth that you shall find abundance and be satisfied. 

Yet unless the exchange be in love and kindly justice, it will but lead some to greed and others to hunger. 

When in the market place you toilers of the sea and fields and vineyards meet the weavers and the potters and the gatherers of spices, - 

Invoke then the master spirit of the earth, to come into your midst and sanctify the scales and the reckoning that weighs value against value. 

And suffer not the barren-handed to take part in your transactions, who would sell their words for your labour. 

To such men you should say, 

"Come with us to the field, or go with our brothers to the sea and cast your net; 

For the land and the sea shall be bountiful to you even as to us." 

And if there come the singers and the dancers and the flute players, - buy of their gifts also. 

For they too are gatherers of fruit and frankincense, and that which they bring, though fashioned of dreams, is raiment and food for your soul. 

And before you leave the marketplace, see that no one has gone his way with empty hands. 

For the master spirit of the earth shall not sleep peacefully upon the wind till the needs of the least of you are satisfied.”

Inspired By Love,

Marcus J. Singleton
Lead Pastor
Living Faith Community

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples".