Yep. We do have a moral and spiritual obligation to help those less fortunate, and governments do as well, at least democracies. Practically speaking,unless we inherit great wealth, most of us will experience at least relative 'poverty' sometime in our lifetimes if we live long enough. While it may only be the mild deprevations of a college student on a budget, or someone pinching pennies between jobs, most of us are familiar at one time or another, with making do with less. But do we only help the 'deserving poor'? While active in Habitat for Humanity back in Kentucky, I saw firsthand two examples in which charity was tested. One devout Christian had lots of trouble accepting the "trash" (old cars, lawnmowers, tools, etc.) that gradually accumulated in the yard of a Latino family for whom we built a house. But they all worked hard, helped build, and met all the objective criteria to qualify for the program. Another Habitat homeowner (the husband, not the wife) sat in the shade and watched the volunteers sweat one weekend. His excuse for not working was a "bad back." Personally, I decided along the way that attempting to ascertain 'worthiness' is nearly impossible. Sometimes those we are most skeptical about helping surprise us pleasantly, and the ones we thought would be gracious are least thankful. This observation probably just confirms our mutual human imperfection which appears with time in all social contexts. So I avoid judging a person's character in relation to a real need. And I believe Christians have an affirmative obligation to be a good neighbor because of Christ's example. Prayer is not enough when a Christian has the time, talent, or treasure at hand to help someone in difficulty. Does that mean I always react in that fashion as a Christian? No. Seems like the spectre of selfishness and self-interest usually gives pause to my impulse to help. Maybe I'm becoming an old fogey reactionary. Unlike those living a few centuries back, mass media and instant communication place every major tragedy before us almost as it occurs - who doesn't feel overwhelmed at times? My answer, generally, is to be alert to situations around me in which my help could make a positive difference. Finally, to me it is fundamental to a civil, democratic government to provide for its vulnerable citizens: those disabled, the feeble-minded (politically incorrect, but descriptive nontheless), the elderly, the structurally unemployed. And yes, they'll be some cheating, waste, errors, etc., but that can't be entirely eliminated. Nor can imperfection be a moral or spiritual excuse to do nothing. Shame on us that anyone in this country goes hungry or homeless or freezes to death (as did two people in Camden County this winter). 'Nough said. Woody