"Give, but give until it hurts"
-Mother Teresa
We will always be asked to give. It could be friends, our parish or even people we do not know. Above all we are supposed to give back to God!The Bible presents us with a very simple and heartening illustration - we simply can't out-give God. So, don't worry, you're not going to go broke by being generous.
Remember the saying: Givers Never Lack”. The season of lent provided us another opportunity to give and possibly increase our level of giving. We should remember that all that we give up during the season should not be saved for the future, but be given to the needy!
Do you know that there are three types of givers namely: The Greedy Giver, The Dutiful Giver and the Thanks Giver.
The Greedy Giver is never ready to part with anything. When forced to give, the greedy giver is selective in giving and carefully chooses the recipient. The greedy giver gives with bitterness and keeps complaining as he gives. His master stroke is that he has a ready request of the recipient as he gives.
The Dutiful Giver does so guided by a sense of obligation. He pays all dues and levies promptly. He is more concerned about what the collectors will say. He does not like to hear announcements reminding defaulters to pay up. It just drives him crazy!
The Thanks Giver is ever ready to give. He gives freely from the heart and usually avoids being recognized for his giving. His heart is filled with compassion. He takes charge of or actively participates in all new projects. Only God knows what drives him. When he has much, he gives much. When he has less, he gives much of the little he has.
The Thanks Giver is like a baby. After licking his toffee and rubbing it on the floor, he willing shares it with his friends who are equally eager to have a lick!
Giving reminds me of cake reserved for guests. We begin by cutting around the edges to taste how nice the cake really is. A little more is cut for the kids. Then we want some for ourselves, after all we paid for it. By the time the guests finally come around, there is very little or nothing left!
I remember a story my parish priest told me about his visit to a village on pastoral duty. He arrived in the evening and was the guest of the village catechist. He was given a sumptuous supper after which he asked to be allowed to go to bed.
He was given their bedroom and had a bed to himself. The next morning, he woke up before his hosts and wondered where everyone had gone. In his bid to get water to drink in the kitchen, he got the shock of his life! Huddled together on the kitchen floor were his host, the wife and seven children!
He said he felt so bad because he never knew how many rooms they had or how many children were around as he did not see them due to his arriving there late in the evening. On asking why nobody came to share the room with him, the catechist replied "we always had the room, but now you need it more."
As we make our budget and plans, let us pause to remember not only our family and friends. Let us put smiles on the faces of others, especially the needy. Let us remember all the people we had promised to assist, but never got around to assisting. Those who we know need our help but have not yet asked-for whatever reason.
We are called upon to use our time, talent and wealth to serve the Lord our God first and:
To our enemies, let us give forgiveness
To our friends, loyalty
To our children, good examples
To our fathers, honour
To our mothers, our heart
To our spouses, unconditional love
To our neighbours, a helping hand
To God, the best of what we have!
Remember, the measure used for others will determine the measure that will be used for us.
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure " pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return" (Luke 6:38 NASB).
"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NASB).
Have a wonderful and spiritually rewarding Easter season!
N.B. Did you remember to add us to your gift list? We are on a donations drive!You may do so NOW!! Click Here>>
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