WISE SPENDING
Today's reading: Proverbs 22

"A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty." Proverbs 22:16 NLT

I know you're not stealing change from the beggar on the corner's cup. I'm pretty sure you are not the one who each year heists the Salvation Army's red bucket. I'll almost wager that you aren't pushing those who are down-and-out out of line at the soup kitchen just so you won't have to mess up your clean counters or sparkly stovetop.

But are you, and I'm asking only because God asked me, spending more time, thought and effort on people who are 'rich' than those who are needy?

We all do it. We strive to impress those folks we really don't care about--or who care to notice us. We give and give and give to make a good impression on people whose opinion counts for little. We stand taller and speak more eloquently, and kindly, to the uppity-ups than the people in our own social class--or below.

I'm worn out and flat broke from the attempt. I'm no politician, but I'm spinning my wheels and kicking up dust in an effort to sway some folks 'to play on my team', folks I really don't know if I could play well with in the first place. Dressing to impress the unimpressable.

Oh sure, I'm to love everyone, pray for and be Christlike to them all--but playing favorites in order to look good or have proper standing in the community? I think that's why God chose to put this proverb smack dab in the middle of my day!