Scarcity vs Abundance | #MyFridayStory №373
If there is a flaw I find hard to accept, it’s selfishness.
In primary school, I recall a boy crying real tears because he didn’t want my friend to share his crayons — with me! The crayons weren’t even his, but he was upset that someone besides the owner might benefit from them. That’s a special kind of selfishness.
The truth is that the world has enough resources to abundantly care for humanity’s needs. Human civilisation has spread across the globe in a relatively short time, evolving into a sophisticated, interconnected community. Over the past century and a half, exponential advancements in technology, medicine, and science have made resources more abundant than scarce. Yet, despite this progress, our mindset often doesn’t reflect the abundance around us.
In South Africa, where we stand 30 years into democracy, greed and selfishness have eroded the very fabric of our society. Corrupt politicians and their criminal networks have lined their pockets, looting the country while many citizens live in poverty. South Africa’s unemployment rate is the highest in the world, a status quo that shows little sign of improvement.
Adding to the strain is the influx of undocumented and illegal immigrants. While the blame cannot be placed solely on those crossing our borders, the lack of border policing and the dysfunction within the Department of Home Affairs has allowed the problem to spiral. Corruption and maladministration have rendered the system nearly ineffective, leaving no clear understanding of the extent of the issue. This growing crisis has fuelled xenophobia, with locals reacting in ways that undermine basic human rights.
On this Human Rights Day, the challenges facing South Africans feel overwhelming. How can we celebrate the principles of fairness, compassion, and empathy when so many of our countrymen and women live undignified lives of poverty, with little hope of change? South Africa’s inequality is the highest in the world, entrenched by policies that benefit a select few while leaving the majority behind.
No country can afford to leave its borders unchecked, allowing undocumented foreigners to live and work without consequence. But at the same time, we cannot respond with hatred or disdain. Treating strangers in our land with dignity and care is not only a moral imperative but a reflection of who we are as a people. Ubuntu reminds us:
“I am because you are.”
As Christians, we are called to welcome the stranger in our midst. The Bible teaches us to care for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. How can we claim to be truly human if we fail to treat all of God’s people with dignity and respect?
Living with an abundant mindset allows us to see that we always have enough — enough to share with those who lack the privileges we enjoy. An abundant mindset is like a candle: it loses nothing by lighting another candle. Instead, the light multiplies, creating an endless cycle of generosity that can be paid forward without diminishing the original source.
On this Human Rights Day, may you experience an abundance of God’s grace and mercy, enabling you to be a blessing to others.
Happy Human Rights Day!
Have a wonderful weekend and remember to be generous! 😊
As always, thanks for reading. 🙏
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