Giving is a personal choice

The April 3 story on the Waldrefs’ simple life is very inspirational. It appears they have done a wonderful job of sharing their goods.

But, George Waldref states the United States supported a government that committed atrocities in El Salvador, yet I can’t believe he condones the Marxist guerillas forcibly taking from the rich and setting up totalitarian regimes to rule the poor. After all, liberation theology was condemned by Pope John Paul II, and he removed many bishops in South America who promoted it.

In sharp contrast is the April 4 story of the Ukrainian couple, the Yefremovs. Their story showed the horrors of resisting Stalin’s forced social justice that caused 6.8 million people to starve to death.

God gives people free will and does not force people to redistribute their goods. God’s 10th commandment makes a provision for private property in that we are not to covet our neighbor’s goods. Give generously to the poor but let us be reminded of Matthew, 6:3-4: “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

Carol Bacon

Spokane