$100 - $200 Fixed Focus Lens Camera Lenses

30 Hour Famine

In my ethics class we've been talking about utilitarianism. Basically it says that being 'good' or 'moral' consists of doing what is best for everyone involved, at whatever cost may come to the individual. This in itself is unliveable. To fulfill it you would have to work as long as you could everyday, eat and sleep as little as you could, and not do anything that costs you money or spend any time playing unless it allowed you to work more efficiently and produce more that you would have otherwise. Any money that you make and do not need to absolutely surivive has to be given to whoever needs it the most. Moreover, they have to give up their relationships, hopes, beliefs, and anything that identifies them as an individual and a human being, if it produces more happiness than sorrow. For people who believe in utilitarianism, this creates a sticky situation, because if they are not living this miserable lifestyle, then they are being immoral.
As Christians, we have it easier, because we do not have to live like this because God calls us each to a unique situation where He wants us. So to do the best thing for everyone in the world might not be for everyone to 'sell all they have and give it to the poor' (although for some, that is definitely what God calls them to). If God calls me to be a student at Rice University (which He has) then it is for everyone's good and I would be disobeying Him to go somewhere else. To think that I could do more good by selling all my stuff and working all the time, is wrong because that puts my limited reasoning over God's omniscient perspective.
Now there are some things that He doesn't necessarily call us to do. For instance, I've never heard God call me to go spend $7 at a moive theater (especially at a movie that God probably wouldn't approve of). I don't often go to the movies anymore. But that's getting to the part of my question. If World Vision can feed someone for a dollar a day, can I justify going to a movie with money that could feed someone for a week? Maybe if it would build up a relationship or teach me something about God. That sounds odd (and rare) but what about going to see the Lord of the Rings as a family outing? We've seen the first two in the theaters and are looking forward to the third movie (we loved the book long before the movies came out and still prefer the books). I think in that situation I could justify it. But how about other things? I don't spend much money. Sometimes I go out to eat with friends. I need to eat, but theoretically I could get food and cook it in the basement and save some money. There is something definite to be said about fellowship and enjoying life, but sometimes it seems like wasting money that could realy help someone. I do throw parties, but always with the ultimate intention of bringing people to know Christ. Jesus himself went to a lot of parties and often got invited over to peoples' houses for dinner. But what about a camera? Somewhere, I lost my camera that I used in high school. I thought I needed a camera so God provided one for my trip to Mexico this summer. I had prayed "God I'm going to Mexico and I need a camera." So that night, God answered my prayer. I was helping Ames and his dad move his stuff out of his room (at the end of the year) and they found a random camera. Ames' dad asked, "Whose is this?" and Ames said, "I don't know. Throw it in the box and we'll bring it back in the Fall." I asked if I could use it during the summer and they agreed. I bought about 20 dollars worth of film, and took some great pictures. Or so I believe. When I arrived back in Colorado from Mexico, none of my pictures came out. The camera was broken. That hurt. That really hurt. I asked God why He had done that, and He answered clear as day, "You don't NEED a camera. You only NEED ME." I was humbled. He had found the nerve. So now, I want a camera. I do not NEED a camera. But I would like one. Should I get a camera or spend the money feeding someone across the world? I could potentially sell the pictures and donate the money, or I could potentially develop the pictures and spend money that otherwise could have helped someone. The only answer I have is to pray about it and let the One who knows my present and future needs, and the needs of everyone on this planet, guide me in this decision.