Link Between the Debt Ceiling Impasse & Rupert Murdoch

VIDEO: Link Between the Debt Ceiling Impasse & Rupert Murdoch

What a world in which we live these days, though as Paul Harvey was keen on saying, “In times like these, it’s important to remember there have always been times like these.”

News out of Washington D.C. continues to strike a dramatic strain about a coming financial Armageddon should the White House and Congress fail to raise the debt ceiling by August 2^nd.  Across the Atlantic, all eyes are on Rupert Murdoch and his news empire, which has come under fire for hacking into personal phone accounts, all in search of gossip and a juicy story.

Two unfolding news reports, each with a degree of controversy and drama attached to them – and each with a common thread weaving the two topics together:

At the core, each narrative is a very human story. The consequences surrounding each account may vary, but the source is seemingly the same:

Because of the human condition we are naturally inclined toward selfish motive.

Scholars suggest that it was Saint Augustine of Hippo who first coined the term “Incurvatus in se,” meaning to “turn inward” and live for oneself as opposed to serving others.

The problem of America’s debt ceiling debate impasse, and ultimately our nation’s reckless debt level, is really not a problem borne of party or specific person. Instead, it’s an accumulation of the consequences of selfish decisions spanning many years. For decades, many public servants have had a bad habit of allowing this nation to spend beyond its means, fearful that holding the line on spending will ultimately cost them their jobs and status. 

The genesis of the Rupert Murdoch scandal is, likewise, the outward manifestation of a familiar problem: Under the guise of corporate competition, it would appear that individuals broke laws in an effort to be the first to break big stories. They did this hoping to boost their careers and their outlet’s profitability.

Selfishness, in some form or fashion, is a major problem for every person, of course. But if selfishness sits at the center of so many of our cultural ills, it would follow that selflessness is the antidote.

For over three decades, Focus on the Family has been attempting to serve others and bring the hope and love of Jesus Christ to families all over the world. In that spirit, I’d like to invite you to watch the following short video. As you will see, each day we’re able to serve here at the ministry the Lord enables us to help hurting people and point them to the Savior. But it’s only made possible because of the selfless gifts of friends. As I watched this presentation, I was struck by a thought:

In the course of just one day here at Focus on the Family, thousands of lives are impacted - often changed - thanks to the generous contributions of other people they will likely never know or meet. What a tremendous collective difference we can make when we band together to spread the love of Christ.

If you're passionate about helping families in need, please consider donating to Focus today by clicking here. Through your gift we can provide hurting families with free resources and counseling.

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