read at more length the passage from The True Christian Religion I read in our
lessons:
Real charity is dealing fairly and faithfully in whatever position, business or work
one is engaged in. . . . This is real charity, because it can be defined as doing good
to the neighbor daily and constantly, and not only to the neighbor as an individual
but also collectively; and the only way of doing this is by good and fair dealing
in the position, business or work in which one is engaged and with anyone with
whom one comes into contact. Because this is what a person does every day, and
when they are not doing it, it still constantly occupies their mind, their thoughts
and intentions. A person who exercises charity in this way becomes more and more
a living form of charity; for justice and faithfulness develop their mind, and the
exercise of good will shapes their body, and in process of time the formation of their
mind prevents them from willing and thinking of anything but those things which
have to do with good will. (§§422-423)
Real charity is dealing fairly and faithfully in the work of our daily lives.
And wasn’t this John the Baptist’s message to the people of Judea? To the tax
collectors, he said: Take only what is appointed for you to collect. Don’t steal a
little extra off the top. To the soldiers, he said: Don’t intimidate anyone. Don’t
use your force or authority to do anything more than what is just. This is the
message for us, too: do my daily work fairly and faithfully.
Okay, but how is that going to help the communities affected by the
Orlando shootings? How is it going to fix voter fraud? How is it going to feed
and house people suffering halfway around the world?
The profound and important idea of this teaching is that what we do in the
work of our day-to-day lives shapes who we are, and that makes a difference.
Let me say that again. The way we do what we do every day shapes who we are,
and that makes a difference.
So what we do as employees, as customers, as wives, husbands and parents,
as neighbors and friends, every day, can we strive to do it fairly and faithfully?
What does that mean? Let me give you some very basic examples.
That means don’t overestimate the
hours your company bills to a wealthy
client simply because you can. Why?
Because that action becomes you – a
false witness, a liar – and you don’t want
to be that.
It means don’t criticize your neighbor
behind her back for her political stance
in order to curry a sense of superiority
with another neighbor. Because that
becomes you – a backstabber, a panderer
– and you don’t want to be that.
The profound and
important idea of this
teaching is that what
we do in the work of
our day-to-day lives
shapes who we are, and
that makes a difference.
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