As John 6 and Ephesians 4 lead me to the conclusion that the “calling to which we have been called . . . to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” at the very least requires us to share our gifts (including, literally, our bread, with each other), I find myself more and more uncomfortable with Nathan’s story about the rich man who stole the poor man’s ewe.

As a chocoholic, I ponder a New York Times article about the economics and politics of cacao growing in Venezuela. It’s complicated. The same could be said for the cup of coffee that I’m drinking. Yes, these crops can produce exports that could improve the overall economy of the world’s poorest nations. But, corporate growers of the crops coveted by North Americans and Europeans drive small farmers off land that their corrupt governments have never allowed them to title. The land that could be growing food for local people, instead, grows luxuries for someone like me whose waistline proclaims that I already have too much to eat.

I am the man, indeed.

(from www.goodpreacher.com/blog/)