A Core Hindrance to Generosity

One thing not always recognized in the moment is the way the financial decisions of the moment impact our ability to practice the spiritual discipline of generosity. I remember conversations with church members over the years who wanted to be more involved in some missions of the church, but found themselves locked into financial commitments that affected those decisions.  It may seen naive to some, but it is true that an attitude, or spirit of giving can be quenched so easily by some of those decisions.  

Life style choices that we make now impact later.  Keeping up with the Jones', spending above our means, and living with an ever demanding debt leaves many with a boatload of stress and an inability to see how it is possible to be involved in any significant sharing in what God is doing in the world.  Thoreau's word to "Simplify, simplify" is a hard word to embrace in a culture which calls us to clamor for more than we need and more than we can actually afford.  

One thing to remember is that what we have is not our own, but God's.  He is the Giver.  What we have is something entrusted to us for awhile.  It is ours to use, but not hoard, nor use carelessly.  We may not be able to change the rippling affect of past decisions, but we can begin the practice of living more simply.  We may be surprised at where it takes us and how it is a window to seeing what it is that is really important for us and our families.