Billy and I have talked recently about the epidemic of "experience-driven service." Meaning... people serve... at a local mission or somewhere overseas because of the experience they get out of it.It causes us to ask whether this is an okay motivation. Does service "count" if you're only motivated to do it because of where you can go or how you can feel afterward?
I know it's a natural by-product that we tend to feel good when we help others. But where should that feeling come on the priority list of motivating factors?
I read an article today about a Kentucky family that is selling the $350,000 home that was given to them by their community in conjunction with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The family has a regular sob story... the husband was injured in the line of duty on the local police force, the wife is a school teacher who has battled cancer.
After a free trip to Disney World, the family returned home to find their own house demolished and a new one worth 4x as much in its place. Along with the house, they got the "blessing" of higher utilities, higher property taxes, and also got to keep their previous mortgage.
In an effort to become debt-free, they've announced that they will sell the 3-year-old house to pay off debts and buy a home closer to town, which will be closer to family and medical needs.
So, the question is... do the people who built this house have any right to complain, as some of them have? (Others have been supportive, to varying degrees.)
What was the purpose of the service offered to this family? To bless or to curse? To help someone else or to feel good for themselves?
What do you think?
Should this family face ridicule for selling the home? Is our reward a valid reason to serve in the first place?
I've heard about this happening with other families on the show. One family's mortgage company foreclosed after their california property taxes were so high that the family couldn't maintain both.
ReplyDeletethis is so sad. At the end of the day, it's their home. Good for them. I am sure it's a lovely home and hard to part with the luxuries, but to sacrifice such is such a hard and mature decision. people have NO right to determine it for them.
I'm sure that some of the people around town will complain, because people tend to say things thoughtlessly. And perhaps, some feel their hard work was in vain.
ReplyDeleteHowever I agree that the people who own the home and have to pay the bills are the ones who must make the decision, not their neighbours down the street. And, it's not like the house was just built last week; it's been three years. They've tried to make it work.
EM:Home Edition is a good idea in theory, and makes for good TV. But in practise, a new home isn't the magic wand solution to every problem. Alas.
if you give a gift, there should be no strings attached. the end.
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point...I can't say that if I was one of the people who gave the gift I wouldn't be a little disappointed but at the end of the day I applaud their decision to try and stay out of debt.
ReplyDeleteRecent months with our global recession should teach us a few lessons about where getting into too much debt because we struggle to live without luxuries can head...?