The Passage: “Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours, do not demand it back.” Lk 6:29.
A literalist reader of this passage would say: “That is what the Bible says, so that is what it means.” Yet, we recognize that interpretation as impractical and frankly irresponsible. So how can we understand what Jesus meant?
The Call
Our Lord is instead calling us to transform our thinking.
Jesus is not commanding us to be careless regarding those in our household that God has specifically entrusted to our care. Prudence teaches us that much.
“Turn the other cheek, love your enemies, do not lend money to those from whom you do not expect repayment…” All these are possibly consistent with the virtue of temperance.
A spirit of generosity and care towards others must be consistent with prudence or temperance, the virtues that guide our actions as to “when” and “how much” we can do when helping others.
Hoarding
One enemy of prudential giving is the unreasonable temperament that however much one has, it is never enough for all future needs. Here, the virtue of Hope, that trust that God will provide is necessary. Yet, one should not tempt God, by supposing that God is obligated to replace gifted wealth. “You must not test the Lord, your God …” Dt 6:16. So give reasonably while trusting completely.
Judging Others
Another enemy of a generous heart is consciously evaluating why a particular person needs help. I confess that I will see one person and am moved to compassion, then see another and instead feel my heart harden. Why? Where do these divergent assessments come from, given I do not know their individual circumstances? The solution is to suppress uninformed judgments as they are contrary to a detached generosity.
Responsibility of a Recipient
How often I have heard some say they never give money, because the receiver will likely squander it on cigarettes or liquor. Woe that we should be so careful with our own expenditures. The responsibility to oversee the use of gifted money belongs to the recipient, not the giver. Even an alcoholic needs shoes. How liberating to grasp that reality!
Self-Examination
– Am I a hoarder?
– Do I think others just need to work a little harder without knowing their circumstances?
– Do I act as the policeman of my generosity?
Prudential self-examination questions:
– Do I see others as threats to my wealth, or as children of God in need of assistance?
– Do I cling too tightly to my possessions?
Temperance question:
– How can I be more generous with my time, with my talents and skills, and with my treasure without compromising my obligation to my family?
By loosening our grip on wealth, we can embrace the spirit of generosity that Our Lord envisions. Simultaneously, we will grow in our trust of God’s providence when that generosity comes in part, not only from our excess, but also from our need. We can also progress in holiness and inner peace when we cultivate a love that is self-giving and supportive of others.
May we transform our thinking so that we can attain the inner peace Our Lord intended when we give as God gives, generously and lovingly. Amen.
Great reflection, Jerry!
Thank you very much.