Give with Joy

by David Lins  |  12/12/2021  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

In this Sunday’s Gospel, the crowds ask John the Baptist, “What should we do?”

He responds, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.”

Oh no! Was he John the Communist?!

Not at all. But it is interesting to note, he didn’t say, “Whoever has two cloaks, interview people who have none and make sure they will use it properly. Ensure they don’t sell it to buy alcohol. Satisfy yourself in the knowledge that you aren’t giving your extra cloak to someone who should be able to afford their own cloak, but they spent their money on an extravagant donkey to ride. And above all, make sure they will use it precisely the way you would.

John the Baptist—in his wisdom—understands their potential misuse of your generosity is an issue that resides between them and God. Your generosity—or lack thereof— is an issue between YOU and God.

If it is blatantly obvious that someone (individual or organization) is misusing your generosity, then of course you should redirect your generosity elsewhere. But otherwise...John the Baptist is encouraging you to give and give with a happy heart!

John the Baptist also knows that if anyone gets bogged down in the questions of “What if they misuse the money I have worked so hard to attain?”, it reveals disordered thinking toward money. As if somehow it is yours.

John the Baptist understands that the money you have— along with your physical possessions, talents, and your very life—is on loan from the Lord. It is His.

This is why what you do with it is an issue between you and Him. So be wise. Work hard. Invest wisely. And give with joy.

And what the recipient of your generosity does with it is between them and the Lord (because it still belongs to the Lord—it has just been passed along to a new steward.)

My prayer is that during this Advent, we take a long, hard look at our attitude toward His money and our generosity.

Comments, concerns, questions? Email David at dlins@oloj.org