(Warsaw, Poland, January 1945)
World War II reduced much of Western Europe to rubble. Homes, businesses, factories, and much of the infrastructure were damaged or destroyed. How could the region rehabilitate itself? It couldn’t. Even two years after the war ended, very little rebuilding had been accomplished. Many people were living in poverty. Government agencies, in chaos themselves, could offer little if any support.
America came to the rescue, helping to rehabilitate post-war Europe at the cost of $22 billion dollars. That’s about $182 billion in today’s economy, to assist sixteen nations, including Germany, for six years (1946 to 1952) (1).
Granted, the investment provided a boon to our economy when those nations began to thrive and became strong trade partners with us. National security was undoubtedly enhanced as well.
But a nation such as ours, rich with resources and populated by creative, entrepreneurial people, could surely have survived quite well without their participation. Besides, think what America could have done with $22 billion.
No, greater than economic gain or national security was the importance of doing the right thing and providing humanitarian aid – even to our enemies.
German Children receiving aid in 1951, taken from Together in Hope book by John Bachman.
“Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos,” said then-Secretary of State, George C. Marshall.
No other nation in history has offered such post-war assistance—and so generously. Now, nearly seventy years later, the foreign aid continues—still totaling billions of dollars every year. And not only does this aid go to our allies or other republics, but to nations of differing political doctrines, all over the globe.
Such generosity is one of our core values in America, contributing to our nation’s greatness. But it is not the only thing.
No other nation on earth offers so much humanitarian aid—much of it by volunteers. Think of the doctors and nurses, teachers and engineers, plus a multitude of non-profit organizations whose sole objective is to relieve suffering around the world and help others lead more productive, satisfying lives.
In 2013 just one agency, the American Red Cross, accomplished the following (among many other achievements).
They:
- Assisted millions of people in 24 countries, impacted by disaster.
- Continued to aid 4.3 million earthquake victims in Haiti to rebuild their lives.
- Helped vaccinate over 98 million children against measles.
- Continued to develop disaster preparedness in 32 countries, so communities are not so vulnerable.
- Helped to reconnect nearly 900 families separated by war or disaster (2).
Is it safe to say that, without America, the world would be a very different place? Our generosity and humanitarianism alone have produced significant results around the globe. But there is still more that sets us apart.
No other nation on earth provides such freedom, opportunity, and protection for its citizens.
In addition, recent immigrants often speak of the wonder and delight they experience upon coming to America. They marvel that: roads are regularly repaired, highway signs are clear and accurate, business practices are generally fair. They’re astonished by the volume and variety of goods available–things that most American take for granted, like shampoo, disposable diapers, and deodorant (3).
And what’s the foundation of all this goodness that has contributed to America’s greatness? It’s the values and principles most Americans still embrace–those laid out in the Bible.
For example:
Our generosity can be traced back to Deuteronomy 15:7-8, Proverbs 21:26, and Matthew 25:34-40.
Our humanitarianism—even to our enemies—is rooted in the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 5:44) and Paul (Romans 12:20).
And our way of life, based on freedom, fairness, and adherence to law brings to mind the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12), Romans 12:9-10, and many other scriptures upholding respectful treatment of all.
Granted, we’re not perfect. Selfishness, greed, and power-grabbing fester among us. But the world is still a better place for the biblical principles named above which provide America’s foundation–whether folks acknowledge that truth or not.
Praise God for his influence through our founding fathers (many of whom were Christians) and self-sacrificing believers in Jesus throughout our 240-year history. It is on their shoulders we stand to do our part. to advance those attributes that make America great–like no other nation.
What do you think has contributed to America’s greatness? Celebrate your appreciation for our nation in the comment section below!
Notes:
- usnews.com
- redcross.org
- heritage.org
(Art & photo credits: www.wikipedia.org; http://www.lwr.org; http://www.redcross.org; http://www.pinterest.com; http://www.azquotes.com.)
From the Inside Out 
Great question, Nancy. I think the people who settled our country, from Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland (where we ALL came from ultimately I guess 🙂 had a Godsense about them that translated to the way people were treated–made in the image of their Creator.
That,along with a hard work ethic, are the two things that are the foundation of what makes our country great.
(But that is only two reasons…I’m sure there are many more).
I would agree with you, Jody. For the most part, Americans have been respectful of others throughout our history. And the strong work-ethic is a primary reason why America grew from a handful of agricultural colonies to the prosperous nation it is today. But there are undoubtedly more reasons!
I think the greatness of America comes from individuals’ awareness that our rights have been derived from God Himself and a knowing that people bare His image. This has always encouraged people to respect others’ freedom rather than fight for their own rights. Freedoms erode when when the two switch place.
The American Experiment has forged the most desirable way of government and hopefully will remain this for a very long time! Thanks, dear Nancy, for this beautiful reminder!!! Happy Independence Day 🙂
Heidi, you’ve shared sentiments that have been part of our heritage since the Declaration itself, about certain rights being bestowed by God. The balance of one’s freedom and others’ rights is very delicate–so easy to tip one way or the other. How I pray that America regains its strength and continues to be a guide and aide to other countries, a torch of democracy where freedoms and rights for all law-abiding citizens are held in careful tension.
I believe that our founders, although not perfect, ultimately embraced the teachings of our Lord. Even though we broke from our mother country and fought for our Independence from England…our core values remained intact as found in Matthew 5:44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” In today’s world…this is hard to practice but it is what the Lord expects of His children. Thanks for reminding me that while I can find the world situation and some of our own people hard to love…it is God’s commandment that we do so.
You are so right, Cheri: there are hard-to-love people everywhere, in every time. But when we pray for them and treat them with kindness and respect, we can rest with a clear conscience. (Easier said than done sometimes!) Thank you for adding that verse from Matthew 5–another highly appropriate text for this topic!
Nancy~
I am slowly catching up on things from being on vacation most of July and just read this❣ Thank you for all your beautiful posts and thank you especially for this one. I spent this 4th of July in Europe with 13 family members visiting the village that my Karcher-side grandparents were from. The area at the time they lived there was Germany (preWWI) then France, then occupied Germany during WWII and is now France, liberated by American soldiers in 1945. Our host, second-cousins to my father, and her husband were amazing people and the genuine thankfulness they, and so many others that we met, gave to use as unreal! Just for being American. We were told many times ‘We are free, because of you (Americans)’ On this very special 4th of July our cousin’s husband, wanted us to ‘be on American soil’ and took us to St. Avold Military Cemetary, the largest American military Cemetary in France. To say it was breath-taking and heart-wrenching and humbling and sad and beautiful and and and…..is not even beginning to give it words. You are so right that we live in a great nation, and these men, these boys, made it that way! After our visit to St. Avold we went back to our cousins for lunch. Her husband, who, mind you, speaks very little English stood after our meal, held his glass high, again thanked us (like we did it!) and sang (in English!) our Star Spangled Banner!! A day I will never forget and a new meaning to me about what freedom really is❣ Ear is an awful thing, but our God is an awesome God and He will prevail. Thank you again!
Hello, Julie! What a delight to see your name in my inbox. That trip to Europe must have been wondrous. Thank you for sharing your heart-warming story. God bless those who, after all these years, still carry gratitude in their hearts for the soldiers and others who gave their all, that we might enjoy freedom today.