Needs

We are now entering the end of the year: the Festive season, Christmas time, a time for giving. And we all try to give, to different people and for different reasons. We sometimes give out of obligation, hopefully because we find joy in giving, does not matter the reason, we mostly find ourselves quite bankrupt at the end of December.
There are many charity organisations. They all try their best to help people both with needs and those in need. One very noble effort has focussed on the distribution of malaria nets into Africa. I am sure with such a huge effort there is also an educational leg attached to the distribution, explaining the use of such a life saving device. I do not doubt that malaria net distribution is making an impact on the incidence of malaria deaths, but I found it very ironic when I saw a picture of women, somewhere in Mid-Africa, who have received a malaria net. They did use the net, but not what it was intended for. They used the net to catch fish with.


Immediately my reaction was that of disgust. How could these people be so unthankful? But then I realised that it was a question of needs. They have been living with the fear and threat of malaria all their lives, they are used to it, it might or might not kill them. But if they do not have food on the table tonight, they will not survive and most probably will not have the immunity to fight against other diseases either.


So often we base the content of what is appropriate to give to others on our own perceptions and statistics. We hear that malaria is one of the most deadly diseases in Africa, so it makes sense; we have to find a way to prevent this.


But the people who are the victims do not read the statistics. They have to live in the Africa which we have analysed statistically. Should we have asked them, they most probably would have told us that they are hungry, and would be able to feed themselves if only they had a way to catch a fish.


Now during the time of giving, I think it is more important than ever to make sure that we address the needs of other through the way and the content of what we give.


Jesus was such a perfect example of this. He did not only go out to the people around Him and preached the word. Most of the time he also made sure that the people had bread to eat before he told them about the Bread of Life.


God also knew our deepest need. He knew that we were on the path of sin, unable to save ourselves. He therefor sent the perfect gift, the gift addressing our most eternal need – His son Jesus.


Maybe we should strive to also give as thoughtfully, focussing on the true needs of others.