GOD EQUIPS

GoD EQuIPS

To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency in all literature and science… – Daniel 1:17

I was recently tasked to handle our marketing department aside from production, which I already head. It’s most likely a temporary assignment because, I must confess, I don’t know the first thing about marketing. I’ve never done it in my career and never even took a subject on it in college.

But I accepted the position, trusting that my boss, who has extensive managerial experience, sees something in me to get the job done. I also accepted the task in faith, believing that the Lord equips those whom He calls. It’s not the first time that the Lord has called me to do something I know nothing about.

When I offered my life to Him as His servant, I gave Him the liberty to put me where He needs me — whether it’s something I know how to do or not. Consequently, I’ve served in so many varied ways that have expanded my experience and skills.

Even before I could get deep into the marketing book I was reading, the Lord sent the perfect person for the job. I told you, He equips those whom He calls. But oftentimes, He calls those whom He already equipped. Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

REFLECTION:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lord, grant me the knowledge and proficiency I need to serve You where You have called me. Amen.

WhAt is the Right AmOunt tO give?

This is a question I am often asked. The answer is both simple and complicated. It is not possible to ask someone to give more than they have. At the same time, the amount a person should give depends upon what they have — the more they have, the more they should give! There is no ‘set amount’ or ‘set proportion’ that a person must give. In First Corinthians, St. Paul tells us that the measure of our giving is the level of generosity with which we give, not the amount given. I know people who tithe (give 10 percent of their gross earnings) and this is commendable: I know people who give 50 percent and I know people who keep everything for themselves because they think they deserve it.

In the Gospel, we are presented with the example of a poor widow who gives, quantitatively, very little, yet it is all she has to live on. She has given more than could be reasonably asked of her and yet she chooses to give that much. We presume she gives with joy in her heart and thus is acting under the grace of God.

The challenge that is before each of us is to look at whether or not we give generously. I believe that if we organize our finances suitably then we ought to be able to give 10 percent so long as we are not just on the minimum wage — maybe then we will be struggling to give that much. In any case, whatever we give ought to stretch us a bit financially. There are many people in the world who have nothing, so we are much better off than them and the Gospel demands that we do something to stand in solidarity with them — if you have two give to he who has none. The Gospel challenges us to give to those who do not have as much as we do.

This issue is a complicated one because people get very defensive about their financial practices. Perhaps one thing to think about is that if we are spending money on gambling or vices and not giving to the Church or the poor then we can transfer that money to charitable works rather than wasting it. It is a question of priority, and the Lord deserves the highest priority from us. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Reflection Question:

Am I a generous giver or do I have a long way to grow in this area? Let us be honest with ourselves and look at our level of giving and improve if we can.

Holy Spirit, give me joy in my heart in being able to give generously. Thank You for Your blessings. I pray that I will never fail to be generous with others in return for Your unending generosity with me.

St. Clement I, Pope and Martyr, pray for us.