The story about Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned may be somewhat exaggerated. There were no fiddles (violins) of the caliber and type we know today 2000 years ago, but the principle behind this story is something we must not ignore. The concept revealed is that in the midst of a devastating event, Nero seemed to ignore reality and what was happening - and kept doing the things that appealed to him. There is something sinister and evil in the concept of standing aside and letting horrible things take place while doing little or nothing to change the situation.
In the horror camps of the Holocaust 70 years ago, there was a macabre circumstance that took place. As Jewish people were being led to execution by hanging or by other means, a group of violin players and sometimes other musicians preceded the march. Music led the old and children to the gas chambers while they were being separated from the younger and more useful prisoners. The act was as deceitful as the sign they marched under: "Arbeit macht frei!" (Work makes free). A Jewish violinist from Tel Aviv has made it his life's work to find any of those old violins from those camps. He has found two marked with the star of David - and he's made sure they will never be played again.
There is a spiritual "fiddle" that Satan wants us to play. It is the attitude of looking the other way while people are suffering around us. It is the act of distraction in the midst of ugly events. It is non-participation in the events of this world. There are other meanings attached to "fiddling". We say people are "fiddling around" when they are not serious about something they are doing. We tell children to quit "fiddling with it" when we see them aimlessly and needlessly engaged in some sort of activity that brings no result. And then there are those wonderful fiddle concerts that express the folk music of some areas, the classical pieces written by famous composers and the wonderful sound that comes from one of the most beautiful instruments on the earth.
When I was a boy, we lived in a coal-mining town and there was a man whose name was Adolf. Adolf was a big man and always seemed to be unkempt and covered in coal dust. He was a miner and lived alone -but this unlikely looking man did play the violin. Not only did he play the violin, but when he played, the sound coming from this unlikely looking musician could cause a whole gamut of emotions. He could almost make it sound as though the violin was weeping - he could make it sound joyful and exciting and he could make it sound sad and somber. Adolf was often invited to people's home and he always brought his violin. He provided a caliber of music that was unknown in the Coal Branch. It was obvious that Adolf had put many years of study into his music. When his large strong hands picked up that instrument, he became a different person to all who were listening. His music was a surprising dimension to the man. This kind of "fiddling" brought something positive into our lives and homes. It spoke of a higher value of things that we could strive for. It instilled the love of music in many.
How about us? How do we feel about the fiddle in our hands and in our lives? Are we prone to treat it carelessly and put very little effort into our responsibilities as Christians - or will we realize how much other peoples depend on our response to things in our lives and especially the things that impact others? Can we practice until our music changes us and until that change benefits others? Peter wrote about the responsibility we have to God, ourselves and to the world. Peter said we are to be holy as He is holy (I Pet. 1:15). He also said we were to be a light to those about us (Matt. 5:15). We cannot remain aloof from the trials and problems of this world. It is true that our citizenship is written in God's book (Eph. 2:19). But we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ who did not separate Himself from the people about Him. He came so people could have life more abundantly (John 10:10). Jesus gave His life for others and set a pattern for people to live by. He never stood by and watched the suffering without being involved. When He came to Jerusalem and saw the city - knowing its future - He wept (Luke 19:41).
Have we shed tears for the suffering of this world? I believe we all have. I can still recall the tears flowing down my cheeks while I was watching the 9/11 horror in New York. People were leaping from buildings that were 100 stories high. Children were inside and as we know, about 3000 people were killed by this horror. On the macabre side, in the city in which I live, a friend of mind observed a number of Muslim taxi-drivers who knew what was happening and saw them cheering the collapse of the towers. They did not have any feelings for the people dying there. The attitude expressed by such people is one of looking the other way - no matter what suffering is being inflicted on other people. Young and old can be dying and lying in pain with injuries - and they are not moved. Their fiddle is made of the same materials as that which Nero played, it seems. There is a difference between being indifferent and actually rejoicing in the suffering and death of others. The story about Nero goes on to tell us he envisioned a new Rome that was dazzling and beautiful, so his first act was to destroy the old Rome by fire. We do not know exactly what his thoughts were - and there is a good possibility that he was more than just a little insane. We can take the position of remaining aloof from the problems of others, and that is a sad statement about our character.
Within the body of believers, there is no room for standing aside when a brother is hurting. It is also true, that the brother ought not to be simply "mooching" from his brothers. There is no need to express the fact that a true need must be present and a brother ought not to be causing his own problems. We can run to help when in fact, God is having a "teaching moment" with that person. God informs us that a lazy person will experience poverty (Prov. 6:10.11). Poverty comes to him who ignores discipline (Prov. 13:18). There are harsh lessons that must be learned. The rich are to help the poor when the poor have fallen into bad times due to no fault of their own. James tells us true religion is to look after the widows and orphans (James 1:27). Paul says those who are able to work but refuse to, should not eat (2 Thess. 3:10).
We are expected to use wisdom and balance in all we do. We are concerned about the poor - even if their poverty is their own fault. But we have also learned that people can quickly become accustomed to handouts and our generosity - and they will never learn the needed lessons of life. They too must not "fiddle" while the rest of the world burns. They must not expect others to be caring and compassionate when they are not. Those who do care, need to be involved in teaching the need to become caring and givers themselves. Teach a man to fish and he will have food tomorrow. Give him a fish and he will need another one tomorrow.
Adolf did not take very good care of his personal appearance or health, but when he opened his violin case, it was obvious this instrument was given a great deal of care. His touch was loving and gentle. He had opened that case almost every day. He did not feel burdened with the need to practice and hone his scills. He rejoiced in the happiness he brought to others. Play the fiddle in such a way that it brings joy to people. God shows the way when He explains that He expects people to knock before He opens (Matt. 7:8-12). Do unto others what you would expect them to do unto you. God gives good gifts - He knows how. Parents learn to give good gifts to deserving children. Followers of Jesus Christ can never play the fiddle of indifference that Nero played. They cannot play the fiddles of deception of the concentration camps. They play fiddles that make beautiful music for the betterment of mankind. God's children are expected to give something to this world. God loved the world - and so must we.