My husband and I have been blessed beyond measure. It began back when we were new parents, watching every penny we spent to get by. Our budget was tighter than tight, with an infant and one income, no room for paid babysitters, pints of expensive ice cream, or name brands. We owned and lived in a two-family house. The rent from our tenants went to assist us in paying the mortgage and to cover maintenance on the beautiful 3-story, 1920’s money pit.
With an envelope budget in place and each envelope carefully labeled with a budget category, we could easily see every dollar that went out. We quickly learned that we could hold back in one area, to allow for the funds to be shifted to another that called for more than was allotted. We found creative ways to share our gifts by way of baked goods, dinners, or gifts for families in need. Somehow our grocery and gift categories always seemed to be able to support those in need. Despite the budget crunch, my husband, the financial guru in our household, has always managed to tithe. It has always been a line item in our monthly financial plan, not something optional or extra.
Even with meager beginning, we recalled and acted on what Christ asks of each of us, “If one of your kinsmen in any community is in need in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor close your hand to him in his need. Instead, you shall open your hand to him and freely lend him enough to meet his need.” Deuteronomy 15:7-8. This has taken many forms over the years and has morphed as our resources and seasons of life have changed. Our family has been given particular gifts that the Lord has asked us to share with the world. He places people and situations in our paths that allow us to choose to use these gifts to serve others well. Pouring out the unique gifts He has bestowed on each of us takes special graces and our cooperation in His divine plan.
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering, if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness,” Saint Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, Romans 12:6-8.
Some are financially blessed and to these much is asked. Saint Luke reminds us in Luke 12:48, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” However, this responsibility does not only apply to those with monetary blessings. Care is demanded from all, regardless of the type of gift. The Lord blesses us with abundance meant to be shared and distributed. We have proven to be trustworthy stewards and are a means to share His gifts and wealth. Do not take the responsibility lightly, prayerfully consider where each measure should be allocated, with the goal being service and glorification of Our Lord.
1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Call to Act: I implore you friends, to examine the many gifts that the Lord has bestowed upon you. Examine the areas where you seem to have extraordinary gifts and take it to prayer. Constantly seek the Lord’s guidance, begging Him to make it known to you, how you can best serve Him, using your gifts to the fullest. Whether it be monetary, service, preaching, teaching, ministering, leading, pouring out His mercy, or one of many other generous gifts, open your heart to His guidance and give abundantly. In what area has He particularly gifted you? Where is the Lord uniquely calling you to be generous with the special gifts He has given you?
St. Abraham, pray for us that we might exhibit generosity beyond measure as you exemplified in your time here on earth. Ask the Lord to help us to respond to God’s blessings by willingly and abundantly giving of our gifts and serving others. We beg you to intercede for us as we strive to grow in willingness and generosity as we discern our gifts and where the Lord is asking us to pour out our measures.
Saint Abraham
Saint Abraham was originally known as Abram. He experienced a great conversion and after was deemed Abraham. Abraham was married to Sarai, later renamed Sarah. Abraham was a faithful and loyal servant of Our Lord, obeying, as the Lord asked him to move himself, his wife and his nephew to Canaan. When famine struck, he relocated to Egypt. Sarah and Abraham experienced difficulty conceiving, and Sarah, gave her maid Hagar to Abraham to conceive, bearing his son Ishmael. Eventually Sarah was able to conceive a much-desired son, Isaac. And exhibiting tremendous trust, Abraham obeyed when he was ordered by God to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Just before Abraham slayed him, an angel of God stopped Abraham, affirmed him for his great trust and assured Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Learn more about Abraham here: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/st-abraham-a-saint-with-tremendous-trust-in-the-lord