Writing People Off

Have you ever been guilty of writing someone off because of what it would take from you to engage? I certainly have. I’ve been challenged to be better by Johann Kurtz’s thoughtful book, Leaving a Legacy. The book was written as a response to a trend among the rich to boast about disinheriting their children and giving all their money to non-profits. The positive argument of the book is that we’d do much better as a society and as individuals if we left our wealth to our children and raised them to be worthy of this inheritance. 

Kurtz distinguishes between abstract and removed philanthropy and up-close and personal, Christian charity. He writes, “The truth, uncomfortable for some, is that much of the world does not need limitless money from an unseen hand, it needs direct leadership based on personal relationships.” According to the latter concept, we have a duty to use what we’ve been given in the service of those near us who are less fortunate. 

This applies to more than just our wealth. Kurtz writes, “Remember that you have more than money to offer—in fact, you have far more valuable assets: experience, knowledge, skills, relationships, passion, and love.” Expanding charity to these categories broadens the group that we can serve in charity. I found this meditation from the author helpful: “Ask yourself: who personally depends on me? Who can I focus on? Who can I know, and love, and save? Try and completely reassess your environment from first principles and notice any people you had subconsciously written off because it would be too much personal effort to elevate them.” 

I felt particularly convicted by the last sentence of Kurtz’s meditation, but also inspired. This week, invite you to join me in pondering: 

Who in my life have I written off as being too much effort to elevate? Who are the people in my immediate sphere who have been less blessed in some way than me? How can I use what I have to elevate them? Which one individual will I focus on this week? 

God bless,
Dan