An ABC of Faith

Generosity

John MacArthur an American Pastor said, “God made all of His creation to give. He made the sun, the moon, the stars, the clouds, the earth, the plants to give. He also designed His supreme creation, humankind, to give. But we are the most reluctant givers in all of God's creation.”

Sociologist refer to three ways that people act in relationship; takers, matchers and givers.

Takers are self-focused and put their own interests ahead of others’ needs. They try to gain as much as possible from their interactions while contributing as little as they can in return.

Matchers like to preserve an equal balance of giving and taking. Their mindset is: “If you take from me, I’ll take from you. If you give to me, I’ll give to you.”

Givers are others-focused, and tend to provide support to others with no strings attached. They ask themselves, “How can I add value for this person? What can I contribute?”

In Matthew 10 we find Jesus advising his disciples to, “You received without payment; give without payment”. This is the call of the disciple: to acknowledge with gratitude all that we have received so that we can give freely. Following such advice can purify us from any pride or self-righteousness, as we realise that we are all recipients of God's mercy, and we can look at those to whom we am sent with respect and gratitude. As we listen to Jesus instructing his disciples, we need ask for the grace to let his words make us a better disciple.

Jesus' word, like Jesus himself, always carries judgement with it, for those who accept it, as for those who reject it. We find Jesus’ very concrete instructions so reassuring: God gets involved in the nitty gritty of life’s challenges as well as dealing with the big issues. For God no problem is too small for us to ask for help and advice. Knock and the door will be opened.

'You received without payment; give without payment'. What is it that we can give that requires no payment on either side? My time? My expertise? My gifts? My forgiveness? We can give others the benefit of the doubt. We can pray that the person who receives from us will pass on the grace of giving, and that whoever we forgive will likewise forgive someone else.

Giving God,

we receive so much from you,

and therefore have much to give.

Help us to share in the blessings of giving as well as the happiness of receiving,

that your love may be more widely, shared through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; 

teach me to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to seek reward,

except that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.

St. Ignatius Loyola