Needs of Others

We should, in times of crisis, make sure that we are taking care of ourselves and our own households.  But, we, in the spirit of Christ's love, be cognizant of the needs of others.  Philippians 2
provides some insight:
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

It's important that we are being responsible in times of crisis, such as the health situation we are facing right now.  We can take the authorities seriously, and be sensitive to ways that the Holy Spirit may be directing us.  Because God has given so much for us and He is the giver of all good gifts, we can reflect that charitable spirit - by not being excessive in our buying habits, making sure some is left for others, and protecting others by protecting ourselves.

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Jesus taught about the act of loving others as akin to loving God - our love for our neighbor should
flow from our vertical relationship with the Lord. Paul wrote in Romans 13:
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

The quest for hand sanitizer and other cleansing products has caused consumers to buy extra amounts during this age of Coronavirus.  Anticipating the increased demand, two brothers went from store to store throughout the states of Tennessee and Kentucky, apparently with the intent of selling it online and making a handsome profit.

Real Clear Politics followed the reporting of Hunter Hoagland of WRCB Television in Chattanooga.

Hunter Hoagland, a reporter with Chattanooga NBC affiliate WRCB, spoke with the man covered in a New York Times article this week who hoarded 18,000 bottles of hand sanitizer intending to resell them for as much as $70 each on Amazon and Ebay.

"Noah Colvin took a 1,300-mile road trip across Tennessee and into Kentucky, filling a U-Haul truck with thousands of bottles of hand sanitizer and thousands of packs of antibacterial wipes, mostly from 'little hole-in-the-wall dollar stores in the backwoods,'" the Times reported Saturday.

After Amazon and Ebay prohibited the sale of such items to combat price gouging, Colvin was left "sitting on 17,700 bottles of the stuff with little idea where to sell them."

Here is a part of the exchange between the reporter and Matt Colvin:

HUNTER HOAGLAND: Standing in a shirt that says "family man-- family business," he says he never anticipated the struggle other families would go through because of a shortage.

Would you say you're sorry?

MATT COLVIN: Sorry for purchasing -- sorry for buying all this? ... uhh ... No, I don't think that I would.

HUNTER HOAGLAND: After facing backlash online, Colvin says he's making plans to donate the rest of the sanitizer.

Hoagland's Twitter feed has a running narrative what came next; he tweeted out:

JUST IN: Office of @TNattygen says the stockpiled medical goods were taken to a local church where they’ll be spread throughout the community & a portion of the sanitizer will go to KY where the brothers cleared shelves. Colvin says he was willing to donate.
@WRCB

A spokesperson for the TN Attorney General's office is quoted: "I just want to make clear that donating the sanitizers does not mean they are off the hook legally. If evidence establishes they engaged in price gouging we will seek appropriate penalties."

Hoagland reported that Calvary Chapel of Chattanooga received the items, which will be distributed under the supervision of the Attorney General's office.  A church spokesperson said that the local sheriff will be coordinating getting the products into the hands of "first responders, nursing homes, and anywhere else it is most needed."

This is a classic example of someone taking advantage of a crisis and attempting to profit from it.  And, I think it sends a clear message in the arena of loving your neighbor.  As the President said Sunday, grocery stores, which are facing extreme buying of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and cleaning products, had urged Mr. Trump to tell the public to reduce their buying.  Fact is, if some people are excessive in their buying, it reduces the number of people who can get what they need.  In times of limited supply, one person's gain can become another's loss.

Following the directives of authorities regarding trying to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus is an act of loving your neighbor as well.  It reminds me of a recent conversation I had: you may not be concerned with getting the virus; after all, healthy people may see a lessened effect of the virus.  But, if you are exposing yourself to the vulnerable, then you have to question whether or not you are walking in the love of Christ.   You may not be afraid - and we should not be, but we can be practical to protect others.