Ramblings on a Fall Day

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day to be outside, temperatures around 60 – 70 with perfectly blue skies above – a day for a drive in the country. After trying to drop off some documents at the Justice of the Peace office on the outskirts of town – and it’s rather difficult to keep the hours this office keeps, because I was at the office before 4:00 p.m. and no one was around. I guess maybe they get there at 7:00 a.m. every morning, or something. Wish I could work those hours. Anyway, as I got back in my car, I didn’t want to just return to town and go inside and get to work – so I took flight … in the car … on the back roads of East Texas… windows down …hmmm! This is good, really good. A cool wind tossing my hair, clear, cool air blowing and beautiful countryside, traveling down roads that are partway pavement then dirt and then pavement and on and on. It felt great to be alive! I forget to enjoy life like this. Way too often, I just get bogged down in getting done what all I think needs to be done.
So, as I’m driving, I think about what we were reading in my class today - Genesis 1-3 – as part of a study of the literature of the English Renaissance. There is really so much in just those three chapters. It’s where we get our idea that “all men are created equal” because in Gen 1, it tells us that “God created man in his own image, male and female he created them.” Because of this, we can certainly make an argument for all men and women, no matter what ethnicity, being born equal – however, I don’t believe there is a justification there for persons choosing their gender orientation, but that’s another story. There are two different accounts of the creation story in Genesis 1 and 2, but both accounts – whether it is ch. 1 where all the animals are created before Adam and then Adam is given authority over all the animals, or whether it is that Adam is created first with God creating the animals and bringing them to Adam to name them – both indicate that man is given authority or responsibility for caring for the animals and plants (or the environment). So, really, as Christians, we should be greatly involved in the movement to save the environment; however, I don’t see our mandate in the same way that I believe it is promoted by those who hold to the Climate Change agenda. Whereas I don’t believe that man is ultimately in charge of the weather, we do need to preserve our environment because it is our duty to do so. I don’t think business needs to be able to do whatever they want to do, but I don’t want to hamper business either. However, I do believe that businesses have an obligation to be responsible to their customers and for their community and their environment. It would be oh so nice if businesses would take their responsibility for these things without others having to force them to do so. However, I have seen that many businesses will NOT be responsible if they are not held accountable. Yet, too, putting some government entity over businesses, mandating any change they can think of, without being held accountable also, well – that’s a train wreck waiting to happen as well. Not good for business, the community or anyone.
I was struck by several comments made over several days or at least hours – some time in recent weeks. Several people commented on how capitalism is based on the premise that something is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. But I disagree with that point. I don’t really think that is true – or rather, if it is true, then capitalism, or at least that particular doctrine of the capitalistic economic system is really flawed. How can we justify paying some people as much as they are paid – simply because someone is willing to pay them that much. Or at least, if we accept that part – and allow people to be paid whatever they can demand and get, then we should also say that those people have an obligation to utilize their wealth for the benefit of others – an obligation to share the wealth they gain. I’m not asking for any millionaires to empty their pockets for me or even to empty their pockets – but I do think anyone who is better off than anyone else has an obligation to help those who are less fortunate – and really it is best if this is a voluntary act on the part of those with the wealth. And one could also say that this obligation would go all the way down to the lowliest poor person in America at least – who would be obligated to share some of what they have with those less fortunate – say in some poor developing country.
That’s why the tithe is such a cool idea – because everyone can afford the tithe – whether they have a dollar (and would share a dime with others) or whether they have 10 million dollars (and then would share a million with others less fortunate). Not that I do the tithe thing very well at all – but the concept is certainly a cool one, I think.
Well, I have meandered all over the place with this one. And it is rather rambling and I would say rather boring. Sorry if I’ve bored you. I’m sure there are more interesting topics I should cover, but I’m just trying to get to 1000 words so my son will share some of his wit and wisdom with me! He’s much more interesting than I am. How is it that without even realizing it, we let the ropes and snares of everyday life curl around us and hold us down! This must be what it’s like to grow up! And I said I never would do that. What’s up with that?
That’s 1011 words already – so my dear son, well you owe me one now! OK? I’ll work on this and I will get better in time. Don’t stop hounding me, even when I yell to let me up for air! I need your baying at me! =) I think!