You would think that the morals of Aesop’s Fables had been well defined long ago, but it seems that all things can change according to the perspective of the current society. In the classic fable of the Ant and the Grasshopper, the ant works hard all summer to gather food while the grasshopper makes fun of the ant and instead relaxes and enjoys life. When the winter comes the grasshopper is cold and hungry and asks the ant for help. The ant replies “Tough noogies!” and sends the grasshopper away. The moral teaches the virtues of preparedness and hard work. (Proverbs 6:6-8 gives a similar analysis of the ant that may predate this popular fable by 1000 years.) As time passed, Renaissance artists turned on the ant. These interpretations painted the grasshopper as a tragic figure shown no mercy by the heartless, fun-hating ant. Today, children are introduced to the fable through the eyes of Walt Disney where the harsh ending has been tempered to be more family friendly and the ant and grasshopper both have valued skills.
The point I’m trying to make is that the world will change it’s standards of diligence and generosity while Christians have a much better defined set of guidelines. Paul reminds us of the love and grace of God that was provided as an example of giving that we are to follow. Paul quotes Exodus 16:18 in opposition to some people living like grasshoppers while others live like ants. We are to strive for equality in giving where everyone has neither too much or too little.
From the time of Abraham, God had blessed his followers so that they may be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2). Robert Morris gives the following example in his book, The Blessed Life. A man tells his pastor that he’s having trouble tithing. “What seems to be the hang up the pastor asked. “Well back when I made $50 a week, I tithed $5, which was easy. And when I made $500 a week, I tithed $50, which was okay. But now that I make $5000 a week, I’m having a hard time. A $500 tithe is a lot of money! Will you pray for me?” “Sure,” said the pastor, “let’s pray! Father, please reduce his income back down to $500 a week so that he can honor You with the tithe.”
