In a novel I’m reading, an older, wealthy woman refers to
helping “those less fortunate.” She is a Christian and active member of her
church and community. And like all of us who have ever referred to others as
“less fortunate,” she means well.
But the term hit me as wrong when I stumbled over it so I
began to ask myself who is less fortunate than I and who is more
fortunate? Usually, I equate the phrase
with material wealth as most folks do. Yet, we all know money cannot heal a broken
heart, comfort a grief-stricken widow, soothe a restless spirit or buy a
ticket to heaven.
So here’s what I came up with for my list of “those less
fortunate”:
People who cannot forgive. Their hearts grow bitter and
angry and they poison those around them.
People who refuse to listen to others. They’re missing
out on some interesting stories, some good laughs, and some profound wisdom.
Bigoted people who claim to follow Christ but whose
narrow minds and cold hearts push others far from the gospel.
To round
out the list, I’d include the thankless who miss communion with God and others,
the selfish who miss opportunities to serve and bless others, and the wasteful
who fritter away their talents and resources, squander God’s grace and never
achieve His purposes.
My prayer for the week is I do as little as possible to be included on someone else’s list of “those less fortunate.”
