I got this in an e-mail recently and thought it would be interesting to post.

What is eaten in one week. A very interesting comparison from all over the world. Take a good look at the diet and cost.

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily

Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $312.40

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide

Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $5 47.07

United States: The Revis family of North Carolina

Food expenditure for one week $341.98

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca

Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna

Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo

Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo

Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village

Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp

Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

I’ve never blogged before and am a bit intimidated by the whole idea really. But to jump right in, let me say that I was hanging out with a friend this week who said something like, “I’ve been realizing more and more lately that Jesus just wants us to give to people, any people. That He never attached agendas or hidden reasons for reaching out to others.” I think he’s right, don’t you? Jesus never thought about “getting them saved” or into His “group” in the same sense that some folks do. It seems like many folks have hidden agendas. Another friend of mine lives in one of the most highly concentrated places for homeless in the country. Because he saw a need, he opened a little shop in the middle of town there to give hope and a hand up to many of them. Down the street a few doors from where his shop is, a “soup kitchen” opens up its doors to feed many of them. That’s great, but my problem is, that after waiting all day for food, starving and hungry, they wait in a long line for like an hour or so. And then, after getting let in the door, there’s an hour long Bible study they must attend before they can eat. I’m not totally sure of the time demands and all, but just the idea of having to earn your meal by hearing God’s Word kinda makes me creep out a bit! So what’s your thinking? What do you think Jesus would do? Don’t you think we reveal our motives by saying things like, “I think we should just give, no strings attached, and maybe someday our giving will lead them to a deeper spiritual truth.” I mean, hopefully it does lead to a deeper spiritual truth, but is that why we give? So again, what do you think Jesus would do?