Fri 10th July

On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, ordered a 49¢ cup of coffee from the drive-through window of a local McDonald's restaurant. Liebeck was in the passenger's seat of her Ford Probe, and her grandson Chris parked the car so that Liebeck could add cream and sugar to her coffee. She placed the coffee cup between her knees and pulled the far side of the lid toward her to remove it. In the process, she spilled the entire cup of coffee on her lap. Liebeck was taken to the hospital, where it was determined that she had suffered third-degree burns on six percent of her skin
Her lawyer, Reed Morgan, filed suit in a New Mexico District Court accusing McDonald's of “gross negligence” for selling coffee that was “unreasonably dangerous” and “defectively manufactured.”

In today’s society everything is the responsibility of someone. In the case of this accident, the jury found that McDonald's was 80% responsible and Liebeck was 20% at fault. Therefore Liebeck was awarded a total of $640,000...

In Ruth’s time, responsibility was taken no less seriously, especially within families.

The nearest of kin had the responsibility of redeeming his kinsman's lost opportunities. If a person was forced into slavery, his redeemer purchased his freedom. When debt threatened to overwhelm him, the kinsman stepped in to redeem his homestead and let the family live. If a family member died without an heir the kinsman gave his name by marrying the widow and rearing a son to hand down his name. When death came at the hands of another man the redeemer acted as the avenger of blood and pursued the killer. To avoid doing this, especially if asked to do so brought great shame upon that relative.

And, in many places, this is given as the reason for Boaz taking Ruth under his wing. But this is not the case. Boaz was not the nearest kinsman. He was not the one who was responsible. He could say no, and not face any backlash because of it. Boaz redeemed Ruth because he wanted to. He went above and beyond the call of duty. The extra mile. He made Ruth his responsibility.

In a few weeks I will be sitting in someone’s home in Zambia.

Chances are, that home will have gaping holes in the roof and walls.

Chances are, that they will struggle to find enough food for one meal a day.

Chances are, that person will be dying of AIDS…

In sending teams to Zambia, The Forge has stood up and said that the poor, the sick and the dying are OUR responsibility, and I love being part of a church that is willing to do that.

Our healthcare team are out there at the moment. Please take some time today to pray for them and the work they will be doing.

Where will you take responsibility today to help others?

“If we have all we need and see one of our own people in need, we must have pity on that person, or else we cannot say we love God. Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it.”
1 John 3:17-18.

Sam