Ordinary Time

Pause

The root of generosity, as in most matters of faith, is trust.

Do I trust that there is enough to share?

Enough for me and for you and for all of us?

Do I trust in God's abundance?

Listen

It isn’t that we want others to have financial ease and you financial difficulties, but it’s a matter of equality. At the present moment, your surplus can fill their deficit so that in the future their surplus can fill your deficit. In this way there is equality. As it is written, The one who gathered more didn’t have too much, and the one who gathered less didn’t have too little.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15

Think

When Paul invites the church in Corinth to share resources with needy Christians, he reminds them of a formational story for the people of God: “As it is written, The one who gathered more didn’t have too much, and the one who gathered less didn’t have too little. This is the story of manna in the wilderness. It’s the story of God providing just enough for each day. It’s a story of abundance and equality. It’s a story of a people learning to trust in God’s holy Enough.

There are lots of stories out there that form our attitudes and ways of life.

One story goes like this: I worked hard for it, so it’s mine to enjoy.

Another story: There are only so many pieces of the pie — if I give to every needy person, there won’t be enough left over for me.

There are lots of stories out there… What’s your story?

Meredith Forssman

Pray

God, I hear you calling me to generosity and to trust. This conflicts with some of the stories that surround me every day. Hold me in this place of tension God, and remind me again and again that there is enough until this forms my way of life. Amen.

Go

Go out and share with your heart.

Don’t share because you feel pressured. Don’t share with hesitation.

Share with cheerfulness and with love.

For you can trust in this: “God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work.”

based on 2 Corinthians 9:7-8