I will try this day to live a simple, sincere, and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence… [A Morning Resolve, Forward Day by Day]
Charity isn’t a virtue if it means giving the least amount of money possible to maintain the appearance or feeling of moral superiority above those who receive it.
Charity is a vice if writing a check is a way to avoid seeing the poverty of others.
True charity is building half a bridge out of my God-given resources, trusting that the rest will be built out of someone else’s need.
True charity is knowing it’s an honor to cross over from either side, and a blessing to meet friend or stranger in the middle.
Thank you for this month’s exploration of “A Morning Resolve”. You make it live. Next maybe Phillips Brooks’ great prayer at the back of FDBD??
Anyway I was thinking how selfish I am with my charity–and decided that it’s okay. Maybe:
“It is enough to be sure of the deed. Our courteous Lord will deign to redeem the motive.” Dame Julian of Norwich
Blessings, Johnna!
Bill
That’s true – we can’t get so caught up in motive hunting that we get paralyzed. And blessings come from impurely motivated deeds all the time – I’m just not sure many ask for God to redeem the motive, so they lose the blessing such giving offers their inner lives. It was a toss-up, whether to go with A Morning Resolve, or Phillips Brooks’ prayer in the back. Maybe you can kick off the reflections on that one when the time comes? peace, Johnna
Sure thing–just let me know when.
Thanks, Bill! I will do so! peace, Johnna