Healthy
Giving
“The
fundamental laws of kindness are merciful; they insist that the most
beautiful and life-giving acts are those that bring rich and fruitful
blessing to both giver and receiver.”
Wayne
Muller (How Then Shall We Live)
We
are told by Jesus that God desires mercy, not sacrifice, yet too
often we are taught that self-sacrifice is an important part of being
a 'good Christian'. While I don't buy into the 'God wants you to be
affluent' ideologies, I also don't believe that self-sacrifice is the
heart of the Gospel. If one desires, from a deep and genuine heart,
to live in a way that serves others, then that service is also for
self. It is living into one's own true nature, and therefore not
personal sacrifice. Yesterday, I listened to an interview with a
journalist who sneaked into Syria to cover the crisis there, and had
to run for his very life to get out again. He did, however, manage to
get a story out of it that was published in the New York Times. He
served both the cause of the rebels and himself.
The
kind of giving that is required of people who seek to let Spirit lead
is not the sort of grinding sacrifice that disallows life. In fact
Spirit is equated with life and peace. It is giving in a way that
enhances life for both giver and receiver, and obliterates the line
between the two. When I give, my life is enriched, and your life is
enriched. Buddhist teacher, Sharon Salzberg, writes, “Authentic
intimacy is not brought about by denying our own desire to be happy
in unhappy deference to others, nor by denying others in narcissistic
deference to ourselves...we must walk in friendship with ourselves as
well as with all beings.”
Today
is a good day to walk in friendship with yourself and with all God's
creatures. Give as you are able and as Spirit moves you to give; you
will be blessed and you will be a blessing to all.
In
the spirit
Jane
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