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Any time of the year it is well for us to reflect on the history of giving and on the challenges and motivation for being philanthropic.
As far back as Ruth, the great great grandmother of David, we see examples of anonymous giving. As you recall Boaz gave orders to his men to pull out some stalks from the collected bundles and leave them for Ruth to pickup as she gleaned the fields. He further directed, his men, that she not to be embarrassed by knowing that the gift was being made available.
The gift's financial value is not as important as our savior points out when he describes the significance of the 2 coins given quietly by the widow in contrast to the greater values contributed flamboyantly by the rich.
As far back as Ruth, the great great grandmother of David, we see examples of anonymous giving. As you recall Boaz gave orders to his men to pull out some stalks from the collected bundles and leave them for Ruth to pickup as she gleaned the fields. He further directed, his men, that she not to be embarrassed by knowing that the gift was being made available.
The gift's financial value is not as important as our savior points out when he describes the significance of the 2 coins given quietly by the widow in contrast to the greater values contributed flamboyantly by the rich.
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| http://www.etsy.com/listing/37842211/thankful-give-thanks-bodysuit |
"For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." The loud giving in front of men, is its own reward and will receive none from our father in Heaven.
Whereas, the quiet righteous giving, in secret, is seen by God and he will reward you. God will give unto you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. "For with what measure ye give it shall be measured to you again".
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| http://www.etsy.com/listing/76842321/he-who-gives-project-wisdom-proverbs-28 |
Matthew further directed in his gospel that "when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what the right hand doth."
This guidance is pertinent during our entire life time when our giving to one another has often become an "exchange obligation" and not the true act of giving. The magi in presenting the Christ Child with their gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh for example, were not looking for the adoration of their fellow man but a way to worship the greatest gift of all - to us- God's Son.
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The Giver
There are 3 kinds of givers; the flint, the sponge and the honeycomb.
To get anything out of the flint you must hammer it and then you get only chips and sparks;
To get water out of a sponge you mussed squeeze it and the harder you squeeze, they more you will get;
But the honeycomb just overflows with it's own sweetness!
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| http://www.etsy.com/listing/63171651/crayon-tote-spongebob-squarepants-on |
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| http://www.etsy.com/listing/28449154/honeycomb-and-rainbows |
Some people are stingy and hard they give nothing away if they can help it.
Others are good natured and yield to pressure and the more they are pressured the more they will give.A few delight in giving, without being asked at all, and of these it is said:
The Lord loveth a cheerful Giver
Let us reflect on what true gifts we can give to God and each other, present them in secret and return the Christian meaning to the too often commercialized world.
Prayer
Father help us to appreciate all the many gifts we have been already given to us, your son, his death and resurrection and the grace by which we may be saved regardless of how ineffective in following your commands we are. Help us see the turning point and instill a willingness in us to spread your will.
AmenFather help us to appreciate all the many gifts we have been already given to us, your son, his death and resurrection and the grace by which we may be saved regardless of how ineffective in following your commands we are. Help us see the turning point and instill a willingness in us to spread your will.
Until next Monday, spread the word...
Monika of Myeuropeantouch on Etsy
