Don't be stingy with love
Children's Activity
There's an old story about a woman who calls the turkey hotline at holiday time. "I have a turkey that's been in my freezer for four years. Is it still okay to eat?" The expert on the end of the line tells her that it's probably too old and suggests the woman buy a new one. "Okay, then," she answers, "I'll just go ahead and donate it to the food pantry."
Ouch. Are you stingy with God? Are you stingy with God's people? Do we give from the best we have or do we just give away our leftovers? In today's lesson Simon doesn't really think he needs to share a whole lot with Jesus. Perhaps Simon thinks that Jesus is happy enough just to be there with him. The woman doesn't think that, however. She can think of nothing but honoring Jesus and giving him what she has. Jesus honors her in return and forgives her sins. Jesus tells Simon that the woman has been forgiven much because she loved much. He also says that the person who has been forgiven little will love only a little.
How aware are we of God's grace and mercy in our lives? Are we humbled by how blessed we are? No matter what our individual circumstances are like, we are wealthier and safer in America than many people around the world. The abundance of God's generosity should be in front of us all the time, and our love for others should flow right from our gratitude. Our giving shouldn't be an obligation. It should be a joy.
This week, challenge yourself and your children to donate something special to those in need. Don't wait until Christmas, and don't just share the usual outgrown clothes and old toys. Give away something that you still care about. Talk with your children about what it means to share our best with others. Loving others should matter more to us than taking care of ourselves. After all, isn't that one of Jesus' commandments? Do we love our neighbors as ourselves? All too often we love ourselves first and give our neighbors what is left over when we are done.
Ouch. Are you stingy with God? Are you stingy with God's people? Do we give from the best we have or do we just give away our leftovers? In today's lesson Simon doesn't really think he needs to share a whole lot with Jesus. Perhaps Simon thinks that Jesus is happy enough just to be there with him. The woman doesn't think that, however. She can think of nothing but honoring Jesus and giving him what she has. Jesus honors her in return and forgives her sins. Jesus tells Simon that the woman has been forgiven much because she loved much. He also says that the person who has been forgiven little will love only a little.
How aware are we of God's grace and mercy in our lives? Are we humbled by how blessed we are? No matter what our individual circumstances are like, we are wealthier and safer in America than many people around the world. The abundance of God's generosity should be in front of us all the time, and our love for others should flow right from our gratitude. Our giving shouldn't be an obligation. It should be a joy.
This week, challenge yourself and your children to donate something special to those in need. Don't wait until Christmas, and don't just share the usual outgrown clothes and old toys. Give away something that you still care about. Talk with your children about what it means to share our best with others. Loving others should matter more to us than taking care of ourselves. After all, isn't that one of Jesus' commandments? Do we love our neighbors as ourselves? All too often we love ourselves first and give our neighbors what is left over when we are done.
