Fruit of the Spirit - Generosity

I recently did a talk at a local church titled, “Expecting So Much, Giving So Little.” I started off by talking about how many of us experience this type of attitude in those we work with, those around us, and even our children. We even see Jesus accusing the Pharisees of this behavior – (Matthew 23: 1-4) “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.’” How often do we get frustrated with others who complain about not getting the help, the attention, or the love that they hoped for or need, yet they are sparse in giving these same things to others?

So, do not “focus on the splinter in your brother’s eye,” when you’ve done little to deal with the “plank in your own eye.” In marriage, we are called to be each other’s helpmate which indicates that we have committed, through an oath, to assist our spouse in getting their needs met. However, we get frustrated when their needs get in the way of our comfort or our desires. How often have I heard my wife or children ask me, “Can you rub my back, please? It really aches,” (because of my skill in this area) to which I find myself internally getting irritated, and I’m sure my body language also conveys that same emotion outwardly. In contrast, I also find myself getting indignant when I am the one asking for help from others and receive the same kind of ‘annoyed’ response.

Love calls for us to have a generous heart which is exampled in our generous giving. Marriage is a Sacrament of sacrifice calling us to Eucharistically give to one another generously and lovingly. Bearing and caring for children also calls us to a similar type of sacrifice. So, we need to ask ourselves, “Am I willing give as much as I expect?” Or better yet, “am I willing to give without counting the cost?” Jesus did, and He doesn’t expect anything of us, He’s not willing to do Himself.

ACTION STEP: This week, look for opportunities to give help, attention, or love more generously to our spouse and our children.