Delroy Chuck CHRISTMAS IS definitely the holy season, in which, inter alia, everyone focuses on giving gifts, getting together with family and friends, caring and sharing with the less fortunate and vulnerable, reaching out to others, remembering the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and a timely reminder that another year comes to a close. It is a time when the wonderful spirit of family is rekindled, when the enlightening spirit of hope and kindness is renewed and re-freshed and, interestingly, the blessings of giving and getting are at their peak.
It is such a pity that we wait until Christmas or special occasions to give gifts, to remember loved ones and long-time friends, to extend a helping hand to those in need and to share and enrich our community, surroundings and country. Giving, caring and sharing ought to be habitual, a part of our daily and regular activity, and the embracing features of a kind and gentle society. Jamaica has become coarse, rotten and crude, and, without doubt, we can find many reasons and blame for the deep, unholy pit into which we have sunk. I would argue that we have lost our sense of charity, our neighbourly concern and healthy respect for one another, and there is no turnaround until we recover them.
Christmas and in fact most days, the vast majority of Jamaicans feel and believe somebody owes them a living and that they must stretch forth an empty, bare hand to receive something instead of extending help to their fellowmen. In truth, nowadays, when one sees an outstretched hand, it is not to help but to beg. At every level, we have become a nation of beggars. Our people have lost their sense of self-reliance and of self-confidence to pull themselves up by their own creative effort and initiative. Far too many of us look to government, or others, to solve our problems, when if we use our imagination and creativity, the solutions are within our grasp.
BIBLICAL MESSAGE
Perhaps, it is time for our leaders, especially our religious leaders, to emphasise and spell out clearly the biblical message that it is better to give than to receive. I strongly believe blessings can come to both the giver and receiver, especially so if they accept the truism that blessed are those who can give without remembering and receive without forgetting. Receiving may be the other side of giving; however, receiving tends to be at the end of the chain of giving and receiving, while giving sends forth ripples of caring and sharing that affect and uplift the lives of others. Many recipients of gifts, praises and compliments believe they are entitled to them, when without expressing thanks and appreciation there can be no commensurate blessing.
I truly believe in living life abundantly and that whatever I want in abundance I must be prepared to give abundantly. Thus, if we want infinite love, joy and happiness then we cannot sow hate, bitterness and frustration. Whatever a man sows so shall he reap and if we sow happiness it is simply not possible to reap unhappiness. In fact, it is impossible to spread joy and happiness without multiplying tenfold one's cheerfulness, delight and peace of mind. So when one asks, if I have no material things to give how can you expect me to give, the simple answer may well be that a simple cheer, a helping hand, a kind compliment and sincere encouragement are more rewarding and enriching than silver and gold. I also believe that if we want prosperity, we must be prepared to spread and preach prosperity. Curiously, how many of our religious leaders would be prepared to preach that: "It is shockingly right instead of shockingly wrong for you to be prosperous. Obviously, you cannot be very happy if you are poor, and you need not be poor. It is a sin. Poverty is a form of hell caused by man's blindness to God's unlimited good for him. Poverty is a dirty, uncomfortable, degrading experience.."
SPIRITUAL TERMS
This is the message of Catherine Ponder, a Minister of the non-denominational UNITY WORLDWIDE, who has written several books, including the Millionaires of the Bible and The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity, in which she argues that the Bible teaches us that God wants us to be rich and weal-thy, whether we measure them in material or spiritual terms. If our lives are empty and poor, it may well be that we lack the blessings that come from giving and receiving, in which we spread and circulate whatever we consider good and just. We envy and rebuke the rich and wealthy when if the truth be known they are the ones who live according to biblical principles, giving more than receiving.
Most persons sincerely believe in tithing which the Bible teaches as the surest path to peace of mind, health of body and financial peace and plenty. Are we aware that some of the most prominent millionaires attribute their phenomenal success to tithing? John D. Rockefeller in 1855 earned $95 and gave away $9.50; between 1855 and 1934, he gave away $531 million dollars. The Rockefeller Foundation continues to give away billions of dollars to worthy causes and charities, and its wealth continues to increase exponentially.
As we contemplate another Christmas and spend time to think and ponder where Jamaica is going, it is appropriate to remember the simple principles that can enrich and lift our lives. In the greatest sermon ever delivered, the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus Christ exhorted us to live lives of honesty, purity, unselfishness and brotherly love, it is still a message of hope, peace and justice that can lift and bless this nation.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by e-mail at delchuck@hotmail.com.
