Almsgiving

Almsgiving is the third leg of the three-pronged program for Lenten practices suggested on Ash Wednesday, prayer and fasting being the other two. With the devastating earth quakes in Haiti and Chile, and most recently, in Taiwan, the call for financial help has reached an all-time high. "Donor fatigue", especially when things are tight in our own lives, might lead us to stop, saying that we've done our part and cannot do any more. When the "pinch" is felt, then the need to look deeper becomes necessary, and can be helpful. In the book of Deuteronomy we read, "If one of your kinsmen in any community is in need in the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor close your hand to him in his need." (Dt 15:7). Are we not all brothers and sisters, kinsmen all? Jesus reminds us, "As you have given, so shall you receive." (cf. Lk 6:38). Growth in trust becomes possible, necessary even, when we give beyond what we thought we could afford. As one friend said to me, "It always comes back to me in ways greater than I ever could have guessed." Fear and absorption in our own ineterests block generosity and the opportunity for God to show his largesse and loving care. God is aware of all that we do, and looks for ways to fill our needs. Holding back hampers his loving kindness. Truly, "as we have given, so shall we receive." Lent is a good time to try this.
Bro. Rene