First: Everybody in the world with enough to eat would, every 3 years, set aside 10% of that years food for the poor. So, we'd all eat 90% of what we bought and we'd donate the remaining food to distribution centers around the globe. Think of how much food you alone would collect in one year! If everyone in the world did that, it would be an overwhelming amount of grub! And then, of course, the food could be handed out to anyone who had need. No, it wouldn't solve world hunger immediately, but I really believe it would make a HUGE dent. Millions of lives would be saved. And over a few decades, I bet there would be very little hunger compared to how it is now.

Second: Every seven years, everyone in the world would cancel all their debts. You laugh, but I'm serious! If you loaned money out, you would simply forgive that debt. And the money that was loaned to you would not be required of you. I realize that our world (and especially America) is built off the idea of loans and that we're talking about billions upon billion of dollars...and that this will never happen. We're too greedy and too used to our lifestyles to do something so radical. And it only works if everybody does it. But imagine if the law demanded it. World-wide. Sure, initially there'd be a lot of people and companies really hurting. But over time, I bet we'd think twice about "loaning" something out and people and businesses would learn to actually live within their means. And the economy would smooth out dramatically. Yay! It wouldn't be perfect, but we certainly wouldn't be in the mess we're in today!!!

Third: Everyone learns to simply give to people in need, without expecting anything in return. Okay, so this one would require a change in attitude instead of a law demanding that something happen...but it sure would flip things upside down! Actually, the fact that it would NOT be demanded would be part of what would make it work. There's a joy that comes with unselfish giving. Peoples' needs are being met and you wouldn't be secretly thinking, "Errrg. How do I know I can trust them with this money? They don't deserve this! They'd better repay me...or at least show some gratitude!" Nope. None of that. Just pure and generous giving when you see a need. I dream of living in a world where people would give so freely and not be so tightfisted.

Okay, okay. So I didn't come up with these ideas. You got me! But they're good, aren't they?!! And I really think they'd work. After all, God came up with them.

Here's the thing. After the fall, God put a plan in place so that people would be taken care of. So that people would not go hungry or be in need. We're supposed to take care of each other...and not just the people that we like. Everyone. But look at the world we live in. It's not pretty. And think of how different things would be today if everyone always lived by those guidelines God set up in Moses' day! Wow. If only we'd listen and trust that His way is better...

But get this. While our government certainly isn't going to make any laws that people cancel their debts every 7 years, you and I can still do the first and third things. Why not save 10% of your groceries and help people with it? That's pretty simple, isn't it? It won't save everyone, but it will most certainly make a difference in people lives and it might even save some. And we could all certainly stand to apply the third lesson and stop being so tightfisted when we see someone in need. Again, that's just a change in attitude.

Food for thought.