What should Christianity look like?

The economy in Greece is tanking (or has completely tanked, depending on your perspective). According to various accounts, the government makes it almost impossible for small businesses and entrepreneurs to start new ventures. The number of regulatory hoops that have to be negotiated is mind boggling.

Things have become so bad, small communities are returning to barter systems. According to this story from the Guardian, some are even creating their own electronic currency that are usable just within the co-op.

So, what does this have to do with Christianity? The Bible frequently admonishes us to take care of widows and orphans, to help each other. The Apostles pooled all their resources and lived communally.

So, what should Christianity look like? This:

"You are not poor when you have no money," she said, "you are poor when you have nothing to offer – except for the elderly and the sick, to whom we should all be offering." (emphasis mine)

Here is someone in the midst of a very trying economic time. The country they love is in turmoil. The world as they knew it has been turned on its head. They are trying to survive as best they can, yet they still feel an obligation to support the downtrodden.

That is the very picture of Christian compassion.

(h/t to Rod Dreher for the lead)