I just came across Steve Bell’s blog. Steve Bell is one of my favorite musical artists.  I first encountered Steve when he was just starting his musical career in Winnipeg, Manitoba and I was just starting to date.  My date and I ended up at a Steve Bell concert and I was hooked. The relationship is long over but Steve Bell’s music has seen much more success. For those of you unfamiliar with his music, he has a folksy lyrical style that invites the listener to encounter God on life’s journey.  Steve also travels and works in Africa and his blog is a wonderful window into his experiences.

Steve has this to say about charity:

I guess I am beginning to understand that charity is not simply giving from “my” excess to another’s pitiful need. At the supper table, I don’t think myself generous when my children load their plates with food. We don’t do that kind of math at all. We eat, we laugh, we tell stories as we subtly, mutually (unconsciously) negotiate our life together. True charity is about coming to the table, with all God’s children and celebrating responsibly and joyfully the gift of creation that is God’s good gift to all. It’s a very different way of thinking about possessions and entitlement and all the assumptions that make the capitalist world go ‘round.

Love it!

Just realized that blog post is from 2007 and Steve has a new blog. Check it out here.