Food for Thought: Winners and Losers

In his book Maybe, Maybe Not, on p.117-121, Robert Fulghum wrote about a time when he was teaching philosophy to high-school seniors. He started the class by having them play musical chairs, which most of them had probably not played since they were in second grade. However, unlike second graders, the game became very rough with quite violent pushing and shoving. In the end, only two burly wrestlers were left to get into the last chair, and one pulled the chair out from under the other in order to win by beating his opponent. He, of course, acted like a hero for “winning”, but his classmates saw him as a jerk and a bully.

When the teacher suggested a second game the majority of the class rebelled. However, once the rules were changed and the game was to be played so that even though chairs would still be removed, everyone was supposed to have a place to sit, meaning that they would have to share chairs and even sit on each other’s laps. The students became strategic in figuring out how to accommodate everyone by distributing the weight appropriately. By the end, everyone was laughing and cooperating well.

The object of the exercise was to point out, in a physical way, how much better everyone fairs when resources are distributed equitably. Instead of winners and losers, everyone was looking out for the greater good for all.

This might seem like a somewhat simplistic view of how the real-world works. But it does get the point across that we do need to look out for each other so that we have more winners and fewer losers.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 13:16

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9

It doesn't matter if you give a lot or a little, it's the heart that matters!