This is the question of globalrichlist.com. It lets you type in your annual income and see how you compare to the rest of the world. And it's a humbling experience.
For instance, a person working one full time job at just minimum wage in the U.S. ends up in the top 12.84% in the world:
This in itself is a sobering perspective. My first reaction is to say, "Wow, things may be tough, but they could be worse!"
Still, I can't help but wonder what that bottom 1% of people looks like. What is it like for those whose poverty actually couldn't get any worse? What are they supposed to say?
It brought to mind a part of the book of Hebrews that encourages us to hold firm to our faith. The author writes:
"We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
No matter our situation, Christ can identify with our weaknesses. All of them. And he offers us grace and mercy in our time of need according to his wisdom.
On this Good Friday, in the last few days of eating sparsely, I can't help but read that and smile. What a great God!
No comments:
Post a Comment