Mennonite Quaintness

[JohnH]

I think the Benefit auctions are an excellent way to learn more about their faith “in action” as well.

Many plain people would disagree with this statement, and there are some who would consider it a danger to attend such an auction at all.

[Ernie]

I think the Benefit auctions are an excellent way to learn more about their faith “in action” as well.

Many plain people would disagree with this statement, and there are some who would consider it a danger to attend such an auction at all.

Yes, there is a fairly large percentage of Plain Anabaptists who don't attend benefit auctions and dinners, and can't understand how it makes sense to...
1. Feast so that starving people can have food. Why not fast or eat little, and give the money you might have spent on the food to the poor instead?
2. Buy something you don't need, in order that a portion of the sale can go to help those in need. Why not just give the money to the poor?
3. Spend a day at an auction, when you could spend the day in gainful employment and give the income to the poor?
3. Gain recognition for how much one was willing to spend on an item in which a portion of the sale will go to the poor, whenever Jesus taught that almsgiving should be done in secret.

[HondurasKeiser]

I think the Benefit auctions are an excellent way to learn more about their faith “in action” as well.

Many plain people would disagree with this statement, and there are some who would consider it a danger to attend such an auction at all.

Yes, there is a fairly large percentage of Plain Anabaptists who don't attend benefit auctions and dinners, and can't understand how it makes sense to...
1. Feast so that starving people can have food. Why not fast or eat little, and give the money you might have spent on the food to the poor instead?
2. Buy something you don't need, in order that a portion of the sale can go to help those in need. Why not just give the money to the poor?
3. Spend a day at an auction, when you could spend the day in gainful employment and give the income to the poor?
3. Gain recognition for how much one was willing to spend on an item in which a portion of the sale will go to the poor, whenever Jesus taught that almsgiving should be done in secret.

These arguments sound vaguely similar to the argument Judas leveled against the woman who poured expensive perfume out on the feet of Jesus.

[JimFoxvog]

Yes, there is a fairly large percentage of Plain Anabaptists who don't attend benefit auctions and dinners, and can't understand how it makes sense to...
1. Feast so that starving people can have food. Why not fast or eat little, and give the money you might have spent on the food to the poor instead?
2. Buy something you don't need, in order that a portion of the sale can go to help those in need. Why not just give the money to the poor?
3. Spend a day at an auction, when you could spend the day in gainful employment and give the income to the poor?
3. Gain recognition for how much one was willing to spend on an item in which a portion of the sale will go to the poor, whenever Jesus taught that almsgiving should be done in secret.

I'm not capital P "Plain", but this is sort of my feelings. Not strong enough to condemn others, but it may be why I don't feel like attending. However, I plan to gather with others in my church tomorrow for apple pie making for the Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale this weekend. Working together builds a feeling of community.

[JohnH]

Yes, there is a fairly large percentage of Plain Anabaptists who don't attend benefit auctions and dinners, and can't understand how it makes sense to...
1. Feast so that starving people can have food. Why not fast or eat little, and give the money you might have spent on the food to the poor instead?
2. Buy something you don't need, in order that a portion of the sale can go to help those in need. Why not just give the money to the poor?
3. Spend a day at an auction, when you could spend the day in gainful employment and give the income to the poor?
3. Gain recognition for how much one was willing to spend on an item in which a portion of the sale will go to the poor, whenever Jesus taught that almsgiving should be done in secret.

I'm not capital P "Plain", but this is sort of my feelings. Not strong enough to condemn others, but it may be why I don't feel like attending. However, I plan to gather with others in my church tomorrow for apple pie making for the Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale this weekend. Working together builds a feeling of community.

Right. We would not necessarily be busy condemning all these benefit auctions (the majority of the funds of some which go to administration, evoking the type of Judas who “bore the bag”), but would simply not conduct them or participate in them ourselves.

[Ernie]

Many plain people would disagree with this statement, and there are some who would consider it a danger to attend such an auction at all.

Yes, there is a fairly large percentage of Plain Anabaptists who don't attend benefit auctions and dinners, and can't understand how it makes sense to...
1. Feast so that starving people can have food. Why not fast or eat little, and give the money you might have spent on the food to the poor instead?
2. Buy something you don't need, in order that a portion of the sale can go to help those in need. Why not just give the money to the poor?
3. Spend a day at an auction, when you could spend the day in gainful employment and give the income to the poor?
3. Gain recognition for how much one was willing to spend on an item in which a portion of the sale will go to the poor, whenever Jesus taught that almsgiving should be done in secret.

These arguments sound vaguely similar to the argument Judas leveled against the woman who poured expensive perfume out on the feet of Jesus.

The similarities and differences have to do with...
1. Is the assessment self-righteousness, or is it simply reasons for why a more principled giving is opted for instead?
2. Are the ones doing the assessing doing well at giving themselves, or is their criticism motivated by a critical spirit and/or jealousy?