The title to our blog reflection today speaks about generosity. Today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles, (Acts 20:28-38), tells us how Paul, using Jesus' words, urges the Early Church to be generous people in thought, word, work and deed. I could not help but think of this as Jesus' and Paul's "spiritual growth strategy" for all who would bear the name "Christian."
How generous am I? Sometimes, when has little, the little one has becomes very important. When one has much, then giving much can be easy. Think of a locale that has been found to have contaminated water in the city. To ask for a clean cup of water from them would be like asking for gold. Think of a financially successful person who deals with thousands of dollars each day. His or her giving financial assistance would be something easy to do. Which one of these two examples would be more generous: the one who gave a cup of "gold" to another or the one who gave money that he / she would not even miss?
I am not sitting in judgment on either of these fictional character examples. But it is well worth thinking about when I muse on how generous I happen to be. No one has asked me for water or money. I have been asked to give of my time, which passes quickly, never returns and in our contemporary culture has become an important "thing" to use for oneself. Still, many people are in need of my time. Time to listen to them, time to explain something to them, time to help them in some way.
What is my spiritual growth strategy? How generous am I? What is it that I am reluctant to give away? I think we all can improve on this. I know I can.
How generous am I? Sometimes, when has little, the little one has becomes very important. When one has much, then giving much can be easy. Think of a locale that has been found to have contaminated water in the city. To ask for a clean cup of water from them would be like asking for gold. Think of a financially successful person who deals with thousands of dollars each day. His or her giving financial assistance would be something easy to do. Which one of these two examples would be more generous: the one who gave a cup of "gold" to another or the one who gave money that he / she would not even miss?
I am not sitting in judgment on either of these fictional character examples. But it is well worth thinking about when I muse on how generous I happen to be. No one has asked me for water or money. I have been asked to give of my time, which passes quickly, never returns and in our contemporary culture has become an important "thing" to use for oneself. Still, many people are in need of my time. Time to listen to them, time to explain something to them, time to help them in some way.
What is my spiritual growth strategy? How generous am I? What is it that I am reluctant to give away? I think we all can improve on this. I know I can.
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