Generosity 101

Question: What is the difference between a handkerchief and a necktie?

Answer: A handkerchief is always in the pocket, hidden, but very useful.

A necktie is in front, visible, but not of much use as it is only for display and decoration.

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Today’s Gospel (Mark 12:38-44) warns us not to desire praise and recognition, entitlement, and human applause. Jesus also reminds us not to do our good deeds, so as to elicit praise from people. In other words, let us learn to be humble, and to be sincere in everything we say or do.

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Shallow are those people who do not earn their respect; vain are those people who would do anything to gain attention or recognition; empty are those people who fake, manipulate and use other people just to feel good about themselves.

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Let us ask ourselves today: What is my life all about: One, for the money? Two, for the show? Sad to say, a person can spend a whole lifetime just seeking money, wealth, and possessions, and putting up a show just to get human approval. More sad if in the pursuit of it all, a person has forgotten to honor God, and to serve or help people.

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Respect is earned. It is not sought. It is not demanded. It is not begged for. It is not something automatically attached to one’s office or status. It does not come from the lights outside you, but from an inner light that makes you glow.

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Saints are like the stained glass. They shine not because they focused the spotlight on themselves, but because they allowed God’s light to shine through them.

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You have found real peace when you can truly say: “What God thinks and says about me is more important than what people, and this passing world think and say about me. Do not worry about who is and is not on your side. Simply make sure that God is with you in all you do.” (Thomas Kempis)

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Forget about being impressive, while you still have time, work on being expressive!

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Some of the happiest people I have met are those who are truly generous. On the other hand, some of the most miserable people I have met are those who are selfish and so calculating in their caring and giving.

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History has it that the people we respect most are those who gave up something or someone for the sake of something or someone greater than themselves. On the same count, we hardly respect those who lived out just their personal agenda and ambitions.

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Are you good? Check today your level of goodness: First, there is the level of just looking good where what matters most is what others say; second is that of feeling good where what matters is what you feel about yourself; third is that of doing good where what matters is that you concretize your goodness in the world; finally, there is the level of simply being good where what matters most is that you live out your goodness, to obey and please God, the source of all goodness and love.

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Remember, there is no true giving without sacrifice. Our God is a generous God. He made us, the world, and everything around us, and He has generously provided everything for us. But the greatest proof of His love and generosity is when He gave us His Only Begotten Son, that we may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John. 3:16)

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Think about this: Good if you are generous; but better, much better if you are “anonymously” generous. Maybe you are making money, lots of money. Or you are making a name, and spreading your fame. But are you making a difference? Are you living a life that is loaded with lots of love, caring, and sharing? Are you making the world a better place because you passed by? “I shall pass through this world but once; any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.” (Stephen Grellet)

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to be truly, humbly, joyfully, and simply generous. Amen.

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