Generosity in Perspective

“Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously. They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to.” (2 Corinthians 8:2-3 CEV)

St. Paul is asking Corinth, a rich city, to give proportionally of their wealth to Judea, a foreign country in need. He points out that Macedonia, a very poor country, has willingly given above and beyond what they can afford. This reminds me of the poor widow who donated her two coins in comparison to the rich who gave a tiny part of their surplus.

I would like to offer my two cents on proportional giving:

We are each given different amounts and types of resources. Most of us would rather give locally, either to relatives or those in our own country. We also like to give through churches and charities, where we can be appreciated and honored for our generosity. As an American, I know I am blessed with more than average resources compared to the rest of the world. I have also heard that our government donates a lot in foreign aid to developing countries. However, the above verses prompted me to look up how this giving stacked up in proportion to our nation’s wealth and population. In 2016, the U.S. government gave 0.15 % of its Gross National Income (GNI) in foreign aid. This comes to about $95 from each of us who lives in this country. In comparison, those who live in Sweden donated 1.4% of their GNI--which comes to $757 per person. In fact, the U.S. placed 20th in proportional giving compared to other nations. Here’s another little tidbit I found appalling: We, as Americans, spend about $90 per capita on lawn care. This information challenged my preconceived smugness about belonging to a generous nation.

As individuals, we have little power over national economic policy. However, we can change our perspectives and attitudes--perhaps question our sense of superiority over other nations. By recognizing that we are giving but a tiny bit of our surplus, while other nations give proportionally more, we can correct long-held misconceptions. This allows us to honor those other nations who, like the poor widow in the gospels, give more than their fair share.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_development_aid_country_donors

https://madison.com/wsj/business/how-much-do-americans-spend-per-capita-on-lawn-and/article_ef2654fa-0b36-511c-b16d-3e9bfd34f21b.html_

Imposters Among Us

“You have such admirable tolerance for impostors who rob your freedom, rip you off, steal you blind, put you down—even slap your face! I shouldn’t admit it to you, but our stomachs aren’t strong enough to tolerate that kind of stuff.” (2 Corinthians 11:20-21 MSG)

On a first date, a man slips a drug into a woman’s drink and takes advantage of her. Most of us recognize this as wrong behavior. If the same woman knowingly continues to tolerate this treatment, we conclude that there is something wrong with her, too.

Someone invites you to their home and mixes laxatives in your food just to mock you in front of others. You continue socializing with them, because you convince yourself that it’s no big deal. If this were to happen to your children, you would warn them not to associate with this kind of people.  

Imposters and emotional abusers repeatedly target the same kind of people. Their victims are often impressionable, congenial, and gentle. These are wonderful qualities, not weaknesses. However, manipulators take advantage of those who are kind, convincing them that all is well while controlling them. In our desire to be included and accepted, we tolerate those who rob our freedom and put us down. And because it is so common--in politics, work places, social and family gatherings--we accept it as inevitable, BUT it isn’t. Those who choose to leave this environment are not doomed to loneliness and rejection. The energy that was once used to prop up imposters can now be invested in sincere relationships. Kindness can now be expressed to those who will not abuse generosity. Where virtue is nurtured and truth thrives, goodness will flourish.

Mind Games

“Evil people who pretend to be what they are not will become worse than ever, as they fool others and are fooled themselves.” (2 Timothy 3:13 CEV)

Back in the 1980’s, video game arcades were popular hangouts for teens. Our local arcade was called Games People Play. Young people spent their money, skills, and time trying to score points and compete with others. I didn’t enjoy playing video games, but I hung out with friends who did.  I wanted to be social-- feel like I was part of my peer group--so, I went along unthinkingly, doing what everybody else did.

As a grown-up, I continued this habit of hanging around people who played games. The games people play as adults are slightly different, though. At work, social gatherings, church, sporting venues, and family events, mental games of one-upmanship are common. Who is the most attractive, best-dressed, most successful, most knowledgeable, funniest? Whose kids are the most athletic, cutest, smartest, and gifted? Instead of seeking to be the highest scorer in an arcade game, now they pursue higher levels of power and status.

Mind-game players score points by getting others to do what they want. They pretend. They flatter. They coerce. They manipulate. They deceive. They are adept at using every tool to gain influence and admiration.  Since this is what passes for common social behavior, even those of us who don’t enjoy playing mind games, inadvertently participate by merely hanging out with those who do.  

No more. Now that I know better, I avoid people who play mind games. Yet, I have learned a few lessons from my time observing them. Pay attention to patterns of behavior. Look for congruency in speech, body language, and what people do when no one is watching. Watch how they treat those from whom they have nothing to gain. Notice their deep insecurities and delusions. Those who play mind games eventually start believing their own lies. They never find their true identity or self-respect. Instead they get trapped in their own snares of self-deception. Eventually, they burn through every sincere relationship, ending up lonely, feeling empty.

Inventory of Blessings

“He will increase what you have, so you can give even more to those in need.” (2 Corinthians 9:10 CEV)

A friend of mine works for a company that requires him to do inventory on all the materials and parts regularly. This got me thinking that it would be good to do an inventory of all the blessings in my life. I started off by writing up a gratitude list--page after page of blessings. I keep discovering new piles in unexpected corners. For example, this morning I read an article that reminded me of how many people do not have the resources to cook healthy, wholesome food.

I am blessed with the time to find healthy recipes, plan meals, and go grocery shopping. I have the skills to cook, drive, access the internet, read and understand articles about nutrition, and the knowledge to store and clean food properly. I have the space to safely store food, equipment to prepare food, my own private kitchen space, cleaning supplies, water, car, gas, and a steady supply of electricity. I am blessed with capable hands to peel and chop whole foods, physical ability to walk, bend, lift, stand. I also have the money to buy groceries, the willingness to cook, and loved ones to nourish.

Once you do an inventory and realize how much you have been blessed, your thoughts automatically go to how you can give more to those in need. Generosity is most often expressed in the forms of gifts and money. Time, attention, respect, friendship, wisdom, support, and guidance are also precious contributions. Recognizing need is a bit more nuanced. Those who feel entitled or are the most demanding receive the most attention while many others go unnoticed. Thus, generosity calls for careful observation and intuition from the giver and vulnerability and transparency from the receiver.  

Climbing Hills

“Our work as God's servants gets validated - or not - in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times;” (2 Corinthians 6:4 MSG)

As a runner, hills are my nemesis. They are hard on my legs, my lungs, and my spirit. As I approach a giant hill, I prepare myself for the suffering ahead. I straighten my shoulders, take quick, short strides, and repeat positive affirmations in my mind. I have learned not to look too far ahead--because that can be demoralizing. Instead, I keep my eyes focused just a few feet ahead of me. When I get to the peak of each hill, I look around. I know there are more hills to come, but I remind myself of how far  I’ve come. I am also aware of those running behind me who are watching me climb.

Life is marked by hills of difficulty, some steeper than others. These can be hard on our bodies, minds, and spirits. Yet, these hills can also be a platform, making us more visible to others. As we reach higher elevations, our perspective also changes. People are watching us as we stay the course-- alertly, unswervingly. Our work as God’s servants gets validated--or not--in how we handle suffering. We practice our faith by displaying God’s power working through us...one hill at a time.

Morning Stillness

“And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out...” (Numbers 9:21 ESV)

Mornings are precious. The mind moves from a subconscious state to the surface, shaking off the soul blanket before donning the concerns of the body. This interval before the brain fog lifts, and you set out for the daily agenda, must be cherished. The cloud of the Holy Spirit remains near. Be still. Listen to the whispers. Feel the nudges.

“They gathered it every morning, each person according to need. Then the sun heated up and it melted.” (Exodus 16:21 MSG)

Each morning, God provides you with the guidance. Gather up every insight before it melts away. Once you move on to the chaos of the day, it becomes harder to connect to the Spirit. Thus, wake up as early as you need; linger as long as you can.

Religious Trouble

“Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:32  GNT)

Recently, I read an article in The Voice of the Martyrs about the persecution of Christians in India. Here are a few direct quotes:

“The intolerance of the Hindu unity movement is equaled only by that of radical Islam.”

“Indian Christians are boldly and lovingly proclaiming the gospel amid a majority Hindu culture that has always treated them as outcasts and now seeks their elimination.”

As a Christian who has lived in India, amidst a Hindu majority--I find these statements to be a bit distorted. Majority religions in every country try to assert their dominance over those of other faith traditions. Extremists--whether they are Christian, Hindu, or Muslim--wear intolerance like a badge of their religious superiority.

Treating minorities as outcasts and seeking their elimination is not exclusive to any religion or region. Religious tensions resulting from discrimination, pressure to conform to the majority, and social injustice are nothing new. St. Paul knew what it was like to be part of the majority as well as the minority. Thus, he admonished Christians to live in such a way that caused no trouble to those of other faith traditions. Living the gospel is more effective than merely proclaiming it. Let us display our faith through the practice of compassion, justice, inclusivity, tolerance, and mutual respect.