"Give to the Least"

I seem to get inspiration for posts when I am driving and listening to the radio. That is where this post came from. I heard Jelly Roll speaking and he said, "give to the least". If he is singing, he is sharing his inspirational words between songs. He uses any platform he can to send a message. When he was at an awards show he took his time on the stage to say to the crowd, "I realize that I am standing here because people took time with the least". Jelly has a deep faith, and he continued on to say, "the world is hearing about Jesus like they haven't in decades. There is a revival happening in the United States where you can't go on a corner and not hear about Jesus. Now go get 'em Jesus. Go feed the poor, go visit the ones in jail, we are done talking, it's time to show". 

Jelly Roll knows how to give to the least. He gave $200,000 to the detention center where he had spent time as a youth. The money was used to build a music studio. Jelly was arrested the first time when he was 14, followed by 40 subsequent arrests. He spent 10 years in and out of jail. Jelly is one of the biggest rising stars in music, and he used that platform to be heard in Senate. He spoke at a hearing on the fentanyl crisis. He admitted that he was part of the problem and now he wanted to be part of the solution.  

I believe that people in a position of wealth, like celebrities, do give to the least. They each have their own charity that they have a personal connection to. They use their platform of being famous to get more money for their cause. I love that and the fact that they bring awareness to charities that are the least. 

Expectations for those that are rich can be unfair at times. Some are born into money and are established, giving is easier for them. Then there are those that have worked very hard to be successful, they didn't start out rich, they became rich. They are often very generous, giving to causes that they believe in, they are probably the ones that give to the least. 

I have a favorite line and that is "you have to give to receive". I find people very generous if they know what to give to. Sometimes you have to help them with that. I was recently at a meeting where everyone was asked to bring a box of cereal for the "Food for Thought" program. It is the breakfast program for schools in Brandon. The donations will give children the chance to eat breakfast which opens up their ability to learn. It is a sad situation when children are hungry, and no one knows that.  

I like the line, "give to the least". It made me think who are "the least". There is obviously so much hunger as the homeless rate rises. It appears to me, who is someone looking in, that the hunger issue is somewhat addressed in my city. There are a variety of organizations that make sure there is food provided every day. I am grateful to the organizations that take that on. Never ever in my entire life have I ever considered visiting at the jail. I have to admit I haven't even thought about it. I have nothing but admiration to those that do visit, I could never do it.  

What a shock, I have once again written about Jelly Roll. When he speaks, I listen. For some reason I relate to his music and his way of thinking. When he was at a concert in Winnipeg, he told a fan he would pay for her tuition. This is a practice he does every time he performs. He gets up every day to give to the least. What a powerful way to live.