Grace of Sharing

As you know, this past year we embarked upon the concept of stewardship and focused in on the sharing of our time.  Come this fall, we will introduce the notion of Stewardship of Treasure. This is the second of a series of articles on treasure.  

Jesus said to his disciples in his last discourse in John's Gospel, "They are not of the world as I am not of the world."  Yet, we all know the enticements of the world are always challenging our commitments to our Lord.  To learn how to use the possessions of the world is certainly a life-long task and a steward of God  is constantly challenging himself or herself as to how they are following the Spirit of Jesus and sharing those blessings with others and the needy. After all, as we have said many times during this process of stewardship , all we have is a gift and blessing from God

In a great act of trust in His Father, Jesus gave His life so that we can have so much -- and really, what can one ask more of that than God's forgiveness?  However, we are aware of how we seek to gratify our own wants, needs and desires.  Resources spent on our selves may nourish and strengthen and comfort but, is this what we as stewards of God are called to do?  Certainly, we do not have to feel guilty for our resources and blessings.  Stewards of God, however, start to ask such questions as: 

• Can I live without them?
• Do I always want more?
• Do I feel I always need more in my life?
• Am I conscious and aware of those not as blest as I am?
• Do I share with those not as blest as I am?

Our entire life of faith, and, yes our entire journey into the stewardship process, may be strengthened by the way we deal with our resources. Unfortunately, many have to be engaged continually in increasing their resources especially money. However, when all is said and done, the heart of every person searches something beyond material possessions -- namely peace and happiness.  In addition every heart seeks faith, hope and love; and ultimately all desire to know Jesus on a personal level.  Ultimately, finding the way of God through Jesus is what strengthens us against the danger of the constant desire for material things.  Every effort to resist it, every loving gift of God and to God helps our life of faith.  We need to look at things as they truly are -- the gifts of God.

Every grace needs to be exercised if it is to grow.  This is especially true of love. And our resources including our money can strengthen our love if we become conscious and aware of the poor, the needy, the hungry and the needs of those around us. Every call for sharing resources and every response we give, just might be the stirring of a new love and the grace it brings.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal .But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. "The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be. "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:19-24

REFLECTION

• How would my spending habits change if I stopped putting out money for things that gratify my desires?
• Where do I ever look for love? -- my wallet?
• How do I spend my free time and money?

The grace of love gives the boot to wrong desires.

[Nature of Sharing]    [Grace of Sharing]   [Interview with God]    [Scriptural Guidelines]