How many times have I see the following scenario played out: I give one of my children something they enjoy – for example, a package of gum or Kit Kats, something that is more than they can consume or use at the moment, something that they will enjoy now and which they can, if they choose, keep and enjoy again and again. And then that child's sister or brother comes along and asks for a piece of the gift – a stick of gum, a segment of a Kit Kat. So often the response is “No, this is mine” or “But then I won't have enough.”
Where does my son or daughter think the candy has come from? Do they think they have labored long and hard and brought it into existence or, at least, into their possession? Furthermore, is this the one and only time I have given them such gift? Do they have no hope or expectation of ever seeing such bounty again in the future?
Of course, these are rhetorical questions for I have no understanding why they would think the way they do (their thinking being made so clear by their actions). I gave them this gift – as I have many times before and as I will surely do many times again – unexpectedly and not because of anything they have done but simply because I love them and love to make them happy.
It pains me that they would cling so ferociously to what I have given them as a free gift and what I plan on giving them again, from what is an essentially endless storehouse of love and gifts.
Why, oh, why do I do the same to the poor, the needy, the even momentarily less fortunate? Do I not trust my Father??
If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving – large or small – it will be used to measure what is given back to you.
ReplyDeleteThe Word of the Lord