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A Little Humor, A Lot of Thought

A friend sent me an email with some of these cartoons. This one can be funny in one way but in another way, it makes me think.

Maybe it's a good thing that the Bible suggests we give 10% of our income in tithing - it is not affected by inflation! Being that it is a percentage - it would certainly increase if my income increased.

In thinking of why I tip a wait person - it is a personal thank-you for the service. If I thought that person served me exceptionally well, I increase the tip recognizing the effort. So when it comes to God - what if He blesses me with some extra funds unexpectedly - shouldn't I do the same and give a little more back to Him? It doesn't necessarily have to be monetary - but my time or my possessions. It would be a sign of my gratitude to His "service" to me. Sigh - I do have a lot to learn!!

A Sad Commentary

Every year in January Detroit hosts the International Auto Show. According to the media, this is the biggest show and when "the Big Three" American auto companies present their new models and concept cars. In light of the current recession and the money troubles of the auto industry, I was very surprised by the advertising for the auto show. While I want to see the American auto industry survive, especially because of what it means for the people of the metro Detroit area, I feel that the Big Three have somewhat created their problems aided by the greed of the American people. The companies have created increasingly larger, more gas guzzling and more "luxury" vehicles perhaps expanding beyond their means. Unfortunately this is driven by consumer demand. What have we become that we need to have SUV's with all the perks or huge F150 pick-up trucks just to drive around the city. Having lived in Africa where a Hummer would have been useful for its all terrain abilities, I do not understand why a city dweller needs a Hummer except for the prestige that it appears to give the owner. These larger vehicles seem to have become more of a status symbol than vehicles of utility. This is a sad reflection of the materialism of North America.

Back to the auto show advertising... I saw several commercials for the auto show and all of them tout the presentation of new models, the chance to see the luxury cars for this year and the fancy new concept cars. It is beyond my understanding, in light of the auto industries' financial woes, how they can continue to produce bigger, more sophisticated vehicles and then expect people who are suffering from the recession to be interested in buying these vehicles. The sad thing is that the recession has not changed the general population's need to have their status symbol in the driveway. People will continue to borrow money to keep their fancy vehicles and the empty satisfaction of the recognition they bring. What have we North Americans become?