Proverbs 29

The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea. Proverbs 29: 7 The Message

I'm not sure where our society stands in relation to "understanding the poor", but I don't think, overall, we're very good at it. Sure, we treat those in need better than the wealthy treated the poor in post-Napoleonic France (Les Mis, anyone?) but I'm sure there are cultures out there we could learn a lot from.

I really admire people who focus on grand answers, the people who change laws and start multi-million dollar charities, but I get overwhelmed when I look at how big some problems are. Maybe it's an excuse for not doing everything I could, but I try not to think about all the pain and suffering in the world, at least not all the time.

That's what I like about the above verse. It doesn't command we solve the world's problems, only that we "understand", or, I think, try to understand. In a word, have empathy.