I heard today in St. Matthew 24:12
And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.
That really stood out to me. I was just making a point with someone that those who support abortion and call pro-lifers "pro-birthers who don't care about people after they are born" ignore all the charity work pro-lifers do, AND ignore the fact that most of them probably aren't doing much of any charity work.
They will demand socialism to "help people," but not extend an ounce of charity towards someone in need, themselves. YOU fix the homeless problem. YOU fix the cost of living problem. YOU fix the foster care system. Never, "how can I help my friend who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant?" They may help her acquire an abortion, but help her actually keep the baby? No, that's a YOU problem.
On the flip side, we who believe in acts of charity can feel confused, frustrated, or exhausted by all the need out there. Because of the iniquity of people who have opportunity to do and be better, we have an over abundance of needs. Are you helping or enabling at that point?
I stopped giving tithe to a church back when I was evangelical after the church refused to help one of their own who had an emergency need, but the pastor was sending his daughters off to fancy sleep-away camps out of state and traveling on these fancy "missions trips" which were basically destination vacations with a bit of preaching at the captive audience of poor people there for the free food.
I don't give to "homeless" people after my family in law-enforcement told me that the vast majority of them aren't actually homeless, they mostly use it for drugs and alcohol, and they have treatment and social service options available to them but just refuse it to con people out of money. They don't beg because they need it. They beg because they get a rise out of conning people out of money. They actually told me NOT to give because it enables them and hurts kind-hearted vulnerable people. And it prevents them from getting off the streets and utilizing the means we've placed in society to help them.
Yes, there are areas of the country where homelessness is more pronounced and thus you have people who can't get into shelters or are on waiting lists for services. But not where I live. There was a man who would beg on the streets during his lunch hour from a good office job just for the thrill and giggles of it and to see how much he'd collect from people. In some cases he could make his day's wage just pretending to be homeless!!!!
And then there's our own iniquities. Selfishness, greed, lust, laziness, judgement (as opposed to discernment and wisdom), unforgiveness.
All of these things are iniquities that make charity grow cold.
On top of that is the sadness that the Catholic Church is supposed to be a bulwark in the community. Instead, many Catholic Churches today are the charity cases. They have to beg the community for funds rather than providing funds for the needs of the community.
