The concept of life, as the antithesis of death, implies that to receive, as opposed to give, is akin to death. A person may be considered as lifeless as they are incapable of giving, yet as vibrant as they can bestow abundant benefits. Typically, human life is valued above all else. Among all creatures, none can match the value of human life. Nevertheless, in extraordinary circumstances, the worth of human life is sometimes deemed inferior to that of mineral resources.
Leaders, who disregard the value of human life, opting instead to mortgage a country’s mineral resources under the guise of fostering international relations, are acting irrationally. Humanity’s worth is intended to be enduring, whereas the value of mineral resources is as fleeting as the earth itself. Thus, prioritizing minerals over human life is indicative of a state of insanity.
A person is as vital as their ability to contribute to others. Insanity skews this dynamic, prioritizing the act of receiving over giving. Those who have fallen from grace are often resigned to being mere recipients rather than benefactors. A nation on the brink of extinction is often characterized by its people’s shift from contributors to dependents, with nothing left to offer.
This scenario typically unfolds when leaders abandon their obligation to serve their people and indulge in corrupt practices. Such leaders are notorious for placing personal gain above the well-being of others. Usually, leaders must set a standard code of conduct for their adherents. As a result, their malpractices may become entrenched as societal norms, leading the country to deterioration. This perspective fosters the notion that receiving is better than giving, thus making the act of giving seem obsolete.
A nation is at risk if it lacks the crucial understanding that humanity should be prioritized above all else. One of the Scriptures in the Bible expresses a perspective that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. As long as reduced to a culture of receiving, such Scriptures are despised by short-sighted people. Evil, by definition, implies extreme insanity. Jesus, as the bringer of light, was clear in denouncing the malevolence associated with the love of money.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:19-24 NKJV).
The aforementioned Scripture brims with spiritual significance, bearing no connection to the physical realm. How can money be deposited in Heaven? This query does not resonate with those solely focused on the material world, where receiving is deemed advantageous. In contrast, the act of giving represents a spiritual condition that raises one’s esteem and augments their value. The worth of humanity is magnified more by giving than by receiving.
The “eye” Jesus spoke of is the spiritual eye, which discerns the superiority of giving over receiving. Lacking this vision plunges one into darkness, reflecting the erroneous belief that acquisition is of utmost importance. A life devoted to the pursuit of money cultivates a bias towards receiving rather than giving. While ill-gotten gains may temporarily elevate one’s status, this elevation lasts only until death. Jesus highlighted the transient nature of self-accumulated wealth, prone to deterioration and loss.
The United States of America is often disliked by many nations due to its perceived domineering influence over others. America’s approach to providing aid to other countries is what seems to elevate it above the rest. Those who receive American aid may feel diminished in comparison to the nation providing it. Being a perpetual recipient can undermine one’s self-worth. For those who resent America, rejecting its donor funding is a way to express their disdain.
This situation calls for self-reflection. One must ask how a country became impoverished and address the underlying issues. It involves shifting the focus from receiving to giving. The worth of a human being transcends material aid. If one values oneself, the question becomes what one can offer to affirm that value. The belief that poverty is unrelated to one’s actions is a fallacy. True worth begins with assuming responsibility for one’s behaviour.
Empowering citizens is crucial for nation-building. Each individual holds value and has the potential to contribute to society. This challenges the idea that a person’s worth is measured by material wealth, such as expensive cars. It’s vital to consider how each person can improve the lives of others, as raising the value of individuals is fundamental to increasing the nation’s worth.
This concept opposes the tenets of an oppressive government, which holds that an enlightened society would not be compliant. This is expected, as such regimes prosper by extracting more from the populace than they provide. Their practices promote a culture of dependency, where ties to corrupt government officials are regarded as a sign of acumen.
It is wise counsel for citizens to recognize that they should not view a corrupt government as the sole provider of their welfare. While rebellion may not be the solution, maintaining dignity by taking responsibility for essential aspects of life is important. For example, communities can create their own methods for disposing of waste when local governments fail to do so. Citizens hold the solutions for managing the uncollected waste.
Assuming the task of waste disposal should not be seen as an act of rebellion. A failing justice system arises from a culture where citizens shirk responsibility. Extensive policing becomes less necessary when citizens grasp the concept of responsibility. Criminals emerge from within societies and are known to the citizens who, out of a sense of detachment, prefer to mind their own business. This mindset is expected in a society conditioned to believe that receiving is more important than giving.
The core principle is the acknowledgement that the value of life is amplified more in giving than in receiving. Some individuals, overwhelmed by despair, argue that it is impossible to displace a profoundly corrupt government. While there might be some truth to this notion, it is vital to recognize that the condition of fear breeds confusion. Establishing order necessitates knowledge, which must be followed by significant processes that lay the groundwork. This concept is derived from the Book of Genesis, which illuminates a methodology for restoring order.
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:2-4 NKJV).
The scripture in question indicates a reestablishment of order. In this passage, light symbolizes knowledge, while darkness represents ignorance. Ignorance breeds confusion, thus highlighting the importance of discerning between knowledge and ignorance. Within this framework, supreme knowledge implies understanding that the act of giving outweighs the act of receiving.
This notion extends to the evaluation of personal worth. How does one measure their own worth, as to benefit others? Every individual, as a creation of God, possesses intrinsic value, a truth often overlooked by those who do not hold a belief in God. Therefore, praise is directed towards the ‘sons of the soil’ rather than the ‘sons of God.’ Amidst this confusion, a person may struggle to recognize their uniqueness apart from the earth.
“Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever” (Psalms 112:4-6 NKJV).
Indeed, righteousness is more closely linked to giving than receiving. To survive in the physical body, one must invest before reaping the benefits of receiving. Following the sin in the Garden of Eden, Adam was informed he would have to toil and sweat for his food. Hard work stems from the principle of giving, which is a fundamental aspect of physical survival (Genesis 3:19).
Paul reiterated this principle to his followers: “Even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat'” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). At the pinnacle of survival lies a spiritual state where the act of receiving is no longer a concern. As a child of God, the emphasis shifts to giving rather than being preoccupied with receiving.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:25-33 NKJV).
The teachings of the referenced Scripture are not meant for a physical being. It would be unreasonable to adhere to Jesus’ teachings without first becoming a child of God. A physical being must labour to acquire food for sustenance, a principle assigned to Adam after consuming the forbidden fruit. Hence, the term “life” pertains to a spiritual state. It is only upon becoming a child of God that one should begin to follow Jesus’ teachings.
At the level of spirituality, the concern for physical survival ceases. The focus shifts entirely to serving humanity and highlighting the benefits of God’s Kingdom. Life flourishes when one embraces the principle of giving rather than receiving. A person who is more committed to receiving than giving is as good as dead. Therefore, a person’s worth is measured by their ability to give.
The essence of life is anchored in the principle of giving, an inherent aspect of being. This principle reflects the divine nature and stands in contrast to the conditional giving exemplified by Adam, who laboured for his sustenance. In the material world, it is often those who invest who prosper. Anticipating rewards for diligent effort is a natural part of physical existence. Jesus instructed His disciples to give in secret, delineating a clear line between the ordinary and the holy.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV).
Survival in this world is shaped by the rewards of hard work, adhering to a principle of conditional benefits. Physical life is a blend of good and evil; giving symbolizes the good while receiving symbolizes the evil. It involves balancing these two opposites, which is another way to describe physical existence. However, upon reaching a spiritual state, the nature of survival transforms into something eternal.
The teachings of Jesus highlight the virtue of Godliness, which is defined by the act of giving. Jesus embodied this principle by sacrificing His life for our salvation. Although it may not be feasible for the whole world to adopt a lifestyle of giving, those who are genuinely transformed have the honour of practising Godliness in their daily lives. This pertains to individuals who give not for public display but as a sincere expression of their faith.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99
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