Thoughts for the Day

He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

When I was a newly licensed Deaconess, we didn't have any money to spare for a holiday that first year after purchasing carpets, curtains and white goods for the Curate's house. However, the summer after this a wonderful elderly lady in the parish, decided to treat us to a holiday in the lake district. It was such a generous offer and we had a wonderful week in an old house by a lake exploring the area with our two young children. Her example certainly nudged me into giving to others over the years.

Recently the Charities Aid Foundation asked 700 donors why they donate. They said:

1. 90% gave to give back to society and tackle inequality.
2. 75% sad they identified with a specific cause.
3. 71% pointed to religious values as a key motivation.
4. 61% spoke of personal life-changing experiences that sparked their giving.

Jesus' words to the Pharisee who invited him to a meal leads us to examine our motives for giving. Jesus reminds us that sometimes we give for selfish reasons (to appear better than others; or out of a sense of duty; or to appear more pious) rather than for altruistic reasons, ie completely unselfish concerns for others. We need to remember that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9.7).

Heavenly Father,
teach us to be generous givers,
as You gave Your Son to rescue us.
and as he gave up his life for us.
May we learn to give joyfully of our time,
our talents, and our gifts,
as we are able
to those in need.
Amen.