That Subtle Eye Of Evil

The problem with a preacher’s home as a place for growing up,
Is we think others owe to us a living – cash and stuff;
They don’t – it’s warped – though basis of that thought I can discern,
Important that distinction as a lesson we must learn.

It’s true I guess in other homes – all kids start out that way –
We helpless are, soon learn to cry, make racket night and day;
We learn that smiles bring touch and toys, our food and diapers dry,
But by and large dependent we, as on the floor we lie.

But that’s where roads divide for us, we PK’s growing up;
We learn a source of cash exists – not much, but it’s enough;
Unless it’s pointed out to us how money comes across
The great divide from worldly wealth, we’re set to suffer loss.

A preacher gets his cash, you see, from gifts from man to God;
They intercept them, so to speak, which might appear as odd;
Not really – it’s a system where good folks give ten percent,
To fund God’s work within our land – like staff and paying rent.

A funded-income plays a role in setting clergy free,
To be a “Parson” in their lives; impact community;
They toss a pension in the mix, and benefits when sick;
But fee-for-service it is not – “professional” the pix.

Now kids grow up and say, “Hey! Cool! I’d like that style of life –
You fund my life and work that way, and I’ll do what I like.”
But that’s not how the working-world continues on its way –
Production at a profit fills our time each working day.

For in the ground are assets which keep us in food and toys;
We work at drawing forth those things; our company employs
Us to work hard, exchange our work for cash to purchase things;
It’s from that cash folks give to God – as benefit that brings.

Not magic-like (appeasing God, or bribing Him that way),
But in a subtle shift of heart which grows in us each day –
All cash when owned and budgeted, nailed down, constricts our way;
But ten percent when “cast away” let’s movement in each day –

For as we see what cash and goods can do when they’re cut loose,
A tendency spreads in our hearts to shift away from “use”;
To let a little light flow in; some leaven in the loaf;
And salt enhance our flavored meals – without it we're all toast.

How tithe is spent quite varied is (it’s neither here nor there),
The point is that it’s tossed away (with recklessness or care);
For when that’s done the flow turns ’round – life opens up once more –
And life pours out abundantly, as from God’s mighty store.

As now I turn from clergy-role to business-life these days,
A shift in me is critical – quite fast it must take place:
“Exchange of value” – base of all the West’s economy,
Supplants the funded-life I’ve known – a change that’s hard for me.

It has its compensations, though – less fickle is its source –
Committees, groups, and power-folks were those who made the choice,
What would be done with cash folks tithed (and flighty they could be);
I’m free of that as now I shift to cash-economy.

When working for the church I knew the eye of evil there;
It reared its ugly head each day, I learned to be prepared
To deal with it, like anywhere, but out here in the world,
I note the eye of evil reigns, like there, in daily swirl.

Dynamics of that evil force quite different are out here;
Because exchange-economy is dominant it’s clear
That I must enter in that swirl, and answer point you asked –
“Prosperity with righteousness” is that a concept past?”

The first thing I would say to you, is check what motivates;
What gets attention, holds it firm, each person captivates;
Then ask yourself (and God in prayer) “What does this person need?
To get ahead in chosen life – how can I give him feed?”

For in exchange that’s what they want – assistance in their work;
To more efficient be each day; pursuit of goals not shirk;
If you can help them out with that, net-benefit to them,
They will exchange their cash with you as on their way you send.

That’s why I ask, “What’s going on, big-picture-like, round here?”
I want to see what motivates, have macro-picture clear;
Then in that mix I won’t get swamped, diverted to some pinch
Of micro-need few people have, where helping out’s a cinch.

I like big problems, ones which need some dynamite to blow;
Discerning eye to place that punch; some leader’s arms uphold;
I like to find new ways to act with more efficiency;
I like to make new tools for folks – to boost prosperity.

So that’s why I give ten percent as base from all I make;
I like to let the sunlight in, add leaven to the cake;
I like some flavor in my food, enhanced by salt each day;
And tithing gives a place to start – frees up my soul that way.

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