ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 18, 2022
His name was Wally, and years ago he ruminated during an Elders’ meeting with the question, “I wonder how many people are more generous with their money than they are with their forgiveness and kindness?” Have people ever used the generosity of their dollars as a means of balancing the scales? Or maybe it is in hopes of distracting from the areas of life where one is more challenged. Not only do I ask the question in forgiveness and kindness toward others, but there are people who are much more generous in their financial giving than they are toward themselves. In fact, they appear very stingy when it comes to showing themselves much benevolence or mercy. In Ephesians 4:32, Paul wrote: “…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” Though Paul was not specific in regard to showing such mercy and kindness toward oneself, I think he implied it… or at least I hope he did.
Lord God, as I bask in the gifts of your grace and mercy, may I show others and even myself the same kind of generosity. Amen.
