We hear the biblical quote “It is better to give than to receive” used so freely that we tend to see the hidden harm done when one does it without the holistic understanding of the act or process of these eight words.

This principal became real to me one Sunday morning while attending church. The atmosphere was somewhat slow, until the preacher made the opening statement, “Today we have too many hoes in our society.” To his exhortation, I was pulled into the listening audience. Talk about gravitational pull! I mean when the minister used the word “hoes,” every ear was opened and every eye was widened as the speaker so eloquently explained his controversial statement.

As he was preparing the congregants for receiving that morning’s tithes and offerings, the pastor of many years was using the analogy of a gardening tool, in which a farmer or a home gardener uses to get rid of those pesky weeds. The referencing of a hoe was a metaphor to illustrate how a person’s idea of living is to be like a hoe. All they think about is themselves. They don’t give much, but will abuse the system to get everything free.

The message from the pulpit on that Sunday painted a picture of a two-headed coin. On one side was a person blessed from a community event. On the flip side was that individual who can be the thorn that blisters the good of the people. Just as this tool (which has become obsolete, thanks to the weed-whacker), the way to use it properly is to pull it inward toward the body. So the moral of his memorable statement was that too many live only to pull or get what they can from this world and never become givers — just receivers. These are the ones that will go through the line as many times as possible, until they are caught or they have filled their personal greedy supply room.

I applaud the efforts of groups such as Red Canoe Credit Union and its partners as they reach out to help the less fortunate by providing school supplies. These types of community projects keep a city at the foothills of the lighthouse of hope and peace.

Even when the nation is going through its roughest economical time, America is still a nation with a heart for the poor. The U.S.A is blessed, but often we may not get sponsoring partners or private donors due to lack of a plan, which provides outcomes that are measurable, accountable and have a transformational impact on the lives of both those receiving and giving.

I can still vividly remember when our parents would line up for a slab of cheese, powder eggs and powder milk, and even then, people would be greedy. I recall seeing families walking back to their homes empty-handed because their neighbor felt the need to have a private warehouse. As a former program manager for a local non-profit organization, I saw similar behaviors of people acting likewise. These are the individuals that discourage many to donate because of their abuse of the benevolence of caring people.

I saw it when we would stand in line for a slab of cheese, and I have seen it as I coordinated distribution of “back to school” supplies and other products. Unless there is a designed plan that will deter these “hoe type” of thieves, what was meant to be a blessing becomes an act of thievery by the “less fortunate.” That’s right, the poor stealing from the poor! They represent all ethnicities — poverty has no color. They take more than what they need or take supplies that their child doesn’t need. This small number of greedy individuals will even have a tearful fabricated story that is not truthful. After that, they migrate to the next distribution event and repeat their gutless script.

In spite of the gloomy side that occurs from these types of community events, we have a greater story from those that honestly and gratefully received their gift with a genuine smile and a thank you. These are the ones that in many cases the children become good citizens, and they become givers as adults. But a hoe will always be a hoe, unless we implement a system that helps deter this “gimme gimme” behavior. It may not cure the disease, but help soothe most of the pain:

1. When giving, remember that the poorest of the poor, in spite of their economical status, still have dignity.

2. When giving, remember that just because a person comes from another country, it doesn’t mean they are poor.

3. When giving, remember that all should be treated fair, and don’t be afraid to say no — even to the poor.

4. When giving, remember that you will be the biggest recipient of a gift that day, when you see that parent or child with a smile and a joyful tear at the same time.

As we covet the love of our Creator and become “cheerful givers,” are we aware of those that are cheerful hoes?