"Like they say, first impressions count the most. What happened to choosing character over money? Does this go back to the saying, "You are the sum of the 5 people you spend most of your time with"? Are we so afraid that associating ourselves with people from a lower class will somewhat degrade us?"
http://ithinc.webs.com/apps/blog/show/50...It has been said that "misery loves company" or "guilty by association" ...inferring that the company we keep is what defines us or our character. It is no truer than when we choose a friend that is impoverished... or when they choose us. There is a lady in our town that has a mental disability, and is on a bit in years, but without fail when she sees me she (in an outside voice) calls my name and comes over and hugs me. This lady has no "filter system" and would tell you or anyone if she is displeased with you for your actions or words. I can be feeling lower than a snakes belly... but after an encounter with her, I am energized.
When I say "making poor choices" ...I mean choosing the "poor" as a friend.
Many people that I know avoid people like that, they are unpredictable and "unwashed" ...yet they are the reality check we all need daily. I have another friend that "needs" me everyday... and talking with them exposes my patience or lack of it. These encounters are a mirror to the character rather than the fisaude I would like to project to the world. Some would say I have made "poor" choices when it comes to friends. This world seems to scream that if you want to be a success... you must surround yourself with successful people... but what is successful?
I recently got a wake-up call myself... someone shared with me their perception of the relationship we had together. It hurt. But it was very revealing about where I have spent my time and efforts. This person said that our relationship consisted of me being the "needy" one... and that I came to him primarily with needs instead of spending time with him as a chum or buddy. He was right! I was constantly going to him asking him to help in my endeavors like Youth Centers and Drop-in places for the poor. He was right... I failed to keep up with my afluential contacts... and I admit my extra time was consumed by those of "low degree." Golfing, parties and vacation trips had been long-since struck from my calendar... I had, to some, become a poor choice in friends.
As a pastor of a "street Church", I remember working a couple of jobs to support my family and the poor Church we were a part of... yet it seemed better for me when I could, to be available to help buy my presence than with my finances... those choices would probably had been made easier, if all of us did both and everyone shared everyone's burden. There is a select few that have the "burden" of being wealthy... and it must be taxing for them to be called on to share all the time, I don't envy their position or the choices they have to make. The Bible says that... ["The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends." Proverbs 14:20] ...it must be tough though, to recognize who are your true friends or not when you are wealthy.
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." Romans 12:16
I think in some circumstances, poverty is also a choice... a choice I personally, like others have made. I could travel across the country to a better paying job, or work long hours doing what I have become accomplished at... yet it is my desire to be available for the down-and-outers, friendless and hopeless... maybe it's true "misery does love company" or "birds of a feather..." and all that. It could also be that I have become a parasite on society, no longer productive, diligent or responsible... a burden, a drain, a joke and a blight. I just want to obey the words of The Master... 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40 ...this very thing we all can do by the gifts we have been blessed with, some with "time" and others with "provision." But let's remember...
"...God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his deed." Proverbs 19:17