Pencil Economics

(Proverbs 21:20 KJV)  There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

In discussions on economics, often disguised as “poor me”, someone pointed out to me that it isn’t how much you make that is important but how you spend what you have.  It is very easy to fall for the current political mantra that we are poor because someone else is rich.  It is ________’s fault.  Whether you put in Donald Trump, George Soros, Bill Gates, or your landlord depends totally on your political views and honesty.  The real difference is the wisdom or foolishness of the spender.

I see the pattern developing everyday at my school.  I have students who come to class everyday and need to borrow a pencil.  I don’t mean the kid who had a hurried morning.  I mean literally every day.  It doesn’t matter how many times you give him a pencil, he will not have one the next period.  Why?  It is a shortage of pencils?  Is it a plot by rich capitalists to keep him ignorant?  No.  It is because his foolishness “swallows” (1104) it.  Here you can lay it at the feet of irresponsible behavior and a lack of effort.  Any way you want to slice it, if he had a house full of nice things they would be trashed in short order.

So?  Be on the lookout for people who deserve your help.  They will never ask but that does not mean the need is less or your need to help can be ignored.  Do not reinforce foolish behavior.