FULL SPECTRUM CULTURE

Marginal Revolution has a brilliant post on the issue of giving to beggars. Here’s the pay-off line (heh) :

Along related lines, the more you give to beggars, the harder beggars will try. This leads to what economists call “rent exhaustion,” which again limits the net gain to beggars. In short, you wish to give to the relatively inelastic factors. This usually rules out beggars, who respond to incentives rather quickly. If you are going to give, pick the poor person who is expecting it least.

This is appropriate for the Christmas season, believe it or not, for it is just how God often relates to his creatures. This is most effectively illustrated in Christ’s incarnation. It’s like the dedication that I like to put on any anonymous Christmas presents that I give:

All Christmas presents should be like the first one: appearing where and when they are least expected.

[I vaguely remember that I came up with this sentiment after reading this story by George MacDonald.] Feel free to use it if you like; that way, its use will be anonymous once more . As far as I’m concerned, giving anonymous Christmas presents that give the glory to Christ is the best part of the Season. We should all do it more, as Christ himself exhorts us to do. I think I’ll write more about other ways to regain the “unexpectedness of Christmas” later this month. [Thanks to Brother Tom for pointing out MR.]