Comments on: Flashback: The False Charity of Clothing Drives http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/ Thoughts on the Journey Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:56:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Erika http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/comment-page-1/#comment-29655 Erika Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:18:45 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/#comment-29655 I have struggled with this for a while. Especially because Mother Teresa says "if you have two coats, one belongs to the poor". Here's my question, though... do any of you bloggers reading this actually only own one coat??? Have any of you actually succeeded in giving away your extra jackets? I confess I have been unable. I have struggled with this for a while. Especially because Mother Teresa says “if you have two coats, one belongs to the poor”.

Here’s my question, though… do any of you bloggers reading this actually only own one coat??? Have any of you actually succeeded in giving away your extra jackets? I confess I have been unable.

]]> By: ben rey http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/comment-page-1/#comment-29508 ben rey Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:57:48 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/#comment-29508 word on your community. i read the post when you were just starting. how is it going now? also i followed some links to a book you are publishing. very cool. is that still in the works and are you still looking for submissions? word on your community. i read the post when you were just starting. how is it going now? also i followed some links to a book you are publishing. very cool. is that still in the works and are you still looking for submissions?

]]> By: Jamie http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/comment-page-1/#comment-29501 Jamie Sun, 22 Jul 2007 08:12:26 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/#comment-29501 Sorry for all the "typos" on that last post. I'm in a rush, and hit submit WAY before I was ready. ;) Peace, Jamie Sorry for all the “typos” on that last post. I’m in a rush, and hit submit WAY before I was ready. ;)

Peace,
Jamie

]]> By: Jamie http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/comment-page-1/#comment-29500 Jamie Sun, 22 Jul 2007 08:09:36 +0000 http://blog.iamnotashamed.net/2007/07/21/flashback-the-false-charity-of-clothing-drives/#comment-29500 Great post! :) I am reminded of two things. The first being we should give our BEST. Meaning, when we go out and buy that *new* coat, we should give IT to those in need and then keep our old. It's what Jesus would do. ;) Mother Teresa died with deforemed feet. Why? Because she plundered through each donation box and picked out the absolute worst pair out of eacxh bunch...and gave the best of the vbest to those in need. She died with the "beutiful feet" e gospel speaks of. She didn't want anyone in need to have to live with the "worst" pair of the bunch, so she took them Her whole lfe. The second being this, thanks to the promptings of Shane Claiborne (who is repeating God's desire): The tragedy of the church is not that we do not care about the poor but that we do not KNOW the poor. So charity gives usn easy way out. Jesus would have us come to *know* the poor...to build relationship with them. That's what HE did. If we gve up our clothing to "other hands" that will give our items to those in need, we are letting ourselves build an "insulation" of sorts between "us" and "them". What Jesus would have us do *INSTEAD* would be to get to know the people in need, through very real and tangible relationships. To not only provide a "physical" manisfestation of His love and grace, but provide a spiritual one as well. Someone to walk with them and talk with htem. Nurture them through their life, all the twists and turns that may come. The sad state of humanity (especially here in America) is *not* that we don't WANT to help thoose in need. Cause I truly believe we do. It's simply that we dont' "know" the poor. We can't relate to what they're going through...we can't relate to what they need...we can't relate to what kind of solutions would help them in the "practical" areas of their life. If we could do this simple thing...I think we could change the world. Peace, Jamie Great post! :)

I am reminded of two things. The first being we should give our BEST. Meaning, when we go out and buy that *new* coat, we should give IT to those in need and then keep our old. It’s what Jesus would do. ;) Mother Teresa died with deforemed feet. Why? Because she plundered through each donation box and picked out the absolute worst pair out of eacxh bunch…and gave the best of the vbest to those in need. She died with the “beutiful feet” e gospel speaks of. She didn’t want anyone in need to have to live with the “worst” pair of the bunch, so she took them Her whole lfe.

The second being this, thanks to the promptings of Shane Claiborne (who is repeating God’s desire):

The tragedy of the church is not that we do not care about the poor but that we do not KNOW the poor. So charity gives usn easy way out. Jesus would have us come to *know* the poor…to build relationship with them. That’s what HE did.

If we gve up our clothing to “other hands” that will give our items to those in need, we are letting ourselves build an “insulation” of sorts between “us” and “them”. What Jesus would have us do *INSTEAD* would be to get to know the people in need, through very real and tangible relationships. To not only provide a “physical” manisfestation of His love and grace, but provide a spiritual one as well. Someone to walk with them and talk with htem. Nurture them through their life, all the twists and turns that may come.

The sad state of humanity (especially here in America) is *not* that we don’t WANT to help thoose in need. Cause I truly believe we do. It’s simply that we dont’ “know” the poor. We can’t relate to what they’re going through…we can’t relate to what they need…we can’t relate to what kind of solutions would help them in the “practical” areas of their life. If we could do this simple thing…I think we could change the world.

Peace,

Jamie

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