Giving and Keeping

One of the important principles of Christian stewardship is that of "flow." We talk about cash flow in our budget or about the flow of goods from one country to another. The word implies that is a movement, not a static condition. Jesus was talking about "flow" when He taught, "Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity." (Luke 6:38 MSG)

Jesus also told a parable about a rich man whose ground yielded such bountiful crops that he ran out of storage space. " 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!' " (Luke 12:18, 19 MSG)

The farmer had successfully provided what seemed to him all he would ever need. He failed, however, to consider one important factor: he could not guarantee a life long enough to enjoy all the goods he had amassed. Life itself was not something he owned and controlled.

Is enjoying "ownership" of things not acceptable? Is it wrong to have a savings program? Is acquiring a valuable collect of certain objects unspiritual? Should one refuse to prepare for retirement years ahead? No, that is not the point of this story at all. The warning, Jesus said, is this: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15 NLT) It is a wrong attitude, more than an action, that He holds up for reproach.

Balancing this part of the life of faith is difficult for many Christians. Some are inclined to give too little and hold on to too much. There are others who would give too much and invest too little in their own self-care.

A Persian lyric poet of the 13th century wrote, and his words have become some of my favorite. They express so well how important the latter is:

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store
two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole,
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

--Muslih-uddin Saadi Shirazi

And furthermore, you may share both your bread and your hyacinths with another needy person! Finding the balance is not a once-and-for-all achievement, but a process whereby giving is cheerful and keeping to use is joyful!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation marked NLT is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Art from http:www.sxc.hu/