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Stop killing!

Who are the greedy? Those who are not satisfied with what suffices for their own needs. Who are the robbers? Those who take for themselves what rightfully belongs to everyone. And you, are you not greedy? Are you not a robber? The things you received in trust as a stewardship, have you not appropriated them for yourself? Is not the person who strips another of clothing called a thief? And those who do not clothe the naked when they have the power to do so, should they not be called the same? 
BASIL THE GREAT 
(On Social Justice)
Elsewhere Basil the Great says, "whoever has the ability to remedy the suffering of others, but chooses rather to withhold aid out of selfish motives, may properly be judged the equivalent of a murderer". This injunction finds support in the Bible, for example, King Solomon said, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it" (Proverbs 3:27).

The point then is that  we sin against each other not only by the things we do or think but also by the things or thoughts we withhold. Withheld love is a life-depleting sin. It is a sin to tell ourselves, “I’m not doing anybody any harm.” The question is, what good are you withholding? Jesus withheld no good thing from you

Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2014
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