When It Comes To Sharing (Giving), Some Stop At Nothing

When It Comes To Sharing (Giving), Some Stop At Nothing

 

Originally written October 2007, in OMC's Faith in-Formation newsletter

On September 30th our Gospel reading (Luke 16: 19-31) was about Jesus telling the story of a rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus.  The rich man didn't even notice Lazarus' needs, even though the begging was happening so close to where he lived.

         Jesus told this story to show how we relate to others affects our fate in eternal life. It's important to treat each other in kind and caring ways.  Our actions help to build up connections and strengthen the bonds between each of us and other people, as well as the ones with God.  Many of the lessons that Jesus taught are about sharing and giving, because it is a topic we need to hear about over and over again.

         The title of this story actually has two meanings, the way I see it one is being like the rich man in the Gospel story who gave nothing to the poor at his door, and who's focus was self-centered. The other is very generous, and nothing stops them from sharing and giving.

         We all see the needs of others everyday, everywhere.  "Begging" comes to us in very different ways. Those needs could be for food/drink, clothing, attention, friends, and many more ways you could suggest.  Some of the needy are far away or close, even crossing our path directly.

         But how do we respond to the needs of those people God brings to us?  Some are easier to help than others.  Will we stop at nothing? Or will nothing stop us from being the kind and caring people Jesus challenges and expects us to be.

         It takes work to become aware of the needs of others around us.  It takes effort, choices and actions to see the "begging" and respond.  I think one of the things Jesus will ask us is "What needs did you see?" and "In which ways did you stop at nothing?"