2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9
John 12:24-26
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GIVING ALL
"Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit."—John 12:24
Jesus gives us His very self — everything He has. In return, we should give Jesus everything at every moment.
The world in its wisdom teaches us to save for the future. The rich man who planned to tear down his barns to build bigger ones (see Lk 12:18) seems to practice the best of worldly “wealth management,” but Jesus calls him a “fool” (see Lk 12:20). Later in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells of a rich man who had no regard for a poor man in his neighborhood. This rich man went down to the netherworld in eternal torment (Lk 16:23ff).
We are called to give, not to invest in our own future, but to give generously, lavishly in complete self-giving. In so doing, this becomes an act of trusting surrender to the God Who gave lavishly to us first.
God the Father gave all — His only-begotten Son. God the Son gave all — every drop of His blood poured out for our salvation, “His own Body, to be given up for you.” God the Holy Spirit gave all — every spiritual gift in the heavens (Eph 1:3). Can we receive these gifts from Him, and do any less than giving our all in return to Him?
Prayer: Father, I am not a generous giver by nature. I choose to receive Your grace fully. Make me so in love with You that I cannot help but respond by giving from the wellspring of Your love in my life.
Promise: "God loves a cheerful giver. God can multiply His favors among you so that you may always have enough of everything and even a surplus for good works." —2 Cor 9:7-8
Praise: St. Lawrence gave all the Church's treasury to the poor, and his life for his Lord. Pious tradition tells us he was roasted to death on a gridiron for his faith. He uttered the legendary words, "It is well done, turn me over!"
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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