In some cases, people bought more expensive cars than they could realistically afford. In other cases, borrowers fell prey to disreputable lenders or scam artists tricking them into outsize loans or dysfunctional cars that needed expensive repairs.
Whatever the causes, lower-income Americans are struggling even more than before the pandemic to keep their head above water in these difficult times.
A Call To Those With Means To Help
In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul tells us that Christians in Macedonia gave generously to help alleviate the suffering of their fellow believers in Jerusalem who were enduring great hardships. He praises the Macedonia Christians for giving so generously when they themselves had very little to give!
Paul says that the Macedonian Christians gave "of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints" (v. 4).
The Greek word for "favor" is charis, which can mean grace, goodwill, kindness, or favor. They didn't view charity (a word that derives from charis) as an obligation but as a joyful privilege.
How much more, then, should the relatively wealthy Corinthian church be motivated to give to their brothers and sisters in need?
"For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened," Paul writes in verses 13-14, "but that as a matter of fairness, your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness."
Paul's words are just as true for Americans today as they were for Corinthians 2,000 years ago. Some of us are blessed with resources to spare, and we have the privilege of participating in the relief of hard-working people in need right here within our community.
Although we are burdened by the difficulties many of our lower-income neighbors are going through, it gives us joy to be in a position to help. We would love to share this JOY with you, and so we invite you to financially partner with OnRamp. If you are blessed to have more than your family needs to survive, would you consider sharing some of that through OnRamp with families in need? Details can be found at www.onramptx.org/give.
PS. If you are ever looking to buy a used car for yourself or someone in your family, you will be tremendously well served by reading our free e-book Reliable Rides: OnRamp's Used Car Buying Guide. This will help you avoid the scams, lemons, and crooks so common in today’s used car market. Get your free copy on our www.onramptx.org/resources page.
