As i got into my car and exited the car park i watched as a lady ran out of the centre, arms filled with clothes. She was chased down by security guards and a rather nasty fight took place. One security guard tried taking the clothes off the lady as she continued to run into the road and hitting out at the guard as she tried to get him away from her. The other guard was following the two, picking up the articles of clothing the lady was dropping. Eventually the guards had all the clothes the lady had tried to steal but the fight wasn't over. The guards didn't want to let the lady go, and it seemed the lady wanted those clothes back pretty bad. Instead of her running away she charged the guards, almost knocking one completely off his feet. Another fight ensued, and i realised i was holding up traffic and had to keep driving away from situation.
This whole scene got me thinking of how i live my life, the values we have as a society, and the pressures individuals face daily just to live in this environment. It sucks how ungrateful i was at the opportunity to buy some tops at a store. I had walked away feeling unsatisfied and wanting more clothes that were my size, fashionable and in my price range. I had forgotten what a privilege it was to be able to afford to get these tops. Especially when i had perfectly good tops sitting at home in my cupboard. I didn't need more clothes, but i wanted them. And i had the opportunity, means and money to drive to the shops to get them.
I have no idea what this lady's story is, but i have met people who would never have access to buy new clothes, let alone have the luxury of owning a cupboard to hold the clothes in.
This isn't a sell your riches and give to the poor story, or a guilt trip about the way we spend our money. But this made me think and want to act in accordance to what God teaches us about how to respond to our neighbours, some who are poor and even in poverty.
Those security guards were angry, so i'm sure were the shop keepers, and many of the bystanders cheering the guys on as they chased the woman down. She was angry too. And probably embarrassed. And clearly in need of new clothes. She was potentially in a situation of desperation and chose to do something that hurts others so that she could help herself (and maybe help those around her). It wasn't the right choice but she decided to do this anyway. Maybe it was a selfish action, but she did it out of desperation. How many of our legal transactions with money and clothes and other things are just as selfish and out of wants and not necessity?
So how do we respond to this lady? And how to we respond to the way we live our own lives? Are we good stewards of what we have?
Of course it is ok to have things, and access to wealth- but lets remember we are blessed to be a blessing. Let's be grateful for what we do have and what we have access to, and consider how even the way we use what we do have (including our money) can bring great glory to our God. Let's love our neighbours as ourselves. Let's share the joys we have the privilege of experiencing with those around us, and let's remember that there are always two sides to every story- people need to be loved, not judged.
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