What are Our Priorities?

On Wednesday I read a tweet by Albert Mohler. He stated: There are now 7 billion people in the world. 6 billion of them have access to a cell phone. Only 4.5 billion have access to a working toilet.

The content of the tweet grabbed my attention. I did some research and found a short article from Time that offered more information(More People have Cell Phones than Toilets). The article quoted U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson describing these numbers as a global crisis people “don’t like to talk about.” That comment sparked more of my attention.

I did not take the time to study the history of toilets, but I am pretty confident in making the assertion that toilets have been around much longer than cell phones, at least at a popular, everyday, consumer kind of level. If that is true, why is it that so many more people have access to a cell phone than a toilet? Especially given that toilets offer consider health benefits to all people?

I wonder if part of the reason is one of priorities. We live in a world that values certain things. We value the appearance of cool. Having the latest cell phone in the US can give you a cool factor. Perhaps in places like Haiti having any cell phone makes you cool. I am not sure that we ever make a connection between cool and toilets. Maybe we need to change that perception.

Another issue we tend to value is money. Though I do not know for sure, I am under the impression that companies involved with cell phones have made a great deal of money as the cell phone market has expanded. Though there is a considerable capital investment in developing and then expanding a cell phone network, the return on the investment has certainly been profitable for many. And with continued usage of cell phones, cell phone service providers generate a noted level of income. Much like the coolness factor, toilets do not seem to be an income generating commodity. We will apply effort and resources if it leads to income, but will we do the same for the health and benefit of others?

The tweet I read on Wednesday has led to considerable personal reflection. What are my priorities? How important is money or having at least some measure of coolness? Perhaps one way to begin addressing this global crisis is by addressing the personal issue of priority. I wonder if Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” – need to be re-visited by each of us. If we need to re-align our values and priorities with the Great Commandment found in Matthew 22:34-40 of loving God and loving people. Maybe we need to think about how Philippians 2:3-4 could be applied in our lives the next time we touch our cell phones, and the next time we use the restrooms.

Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of us look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Prayerfully, we will see a dramatic increase in people with access to toilets in the next five years. For that to happen, I think our priorities will need to be addressed.