“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
~ Winston Churchill
A few weeks ago, we kicked off our annual CSA (Catholic Services Appeal). This fund drive is an annual appeal. I spoke at all the Masses a few weeks ago and asked people to consider making a pledge so that we can replace our carpeting.
Giving seems to go against the grain of our human nature. We are all pretty hard-wired, are we not, to get and not to give. From the moment we can first grab something in our tiny hands and form the word “Mine!”, our lives of seeking begin. We desire so many things in life, tangible and intangible. Although our parents, grandparents, teachers, and others try to teach us about the value of giving, the opportunity to take usually is more pursued.
Getting, collecting, achieving, hoarding, or whatever word you might want to use does not necessarily mean that we have amounted to anything. It might just mean that we have become rich or that we have the most stuff. If we truly want to amount to something, we have to learn to give. There are so many ways to do so. We can give materially. Money and tangible goods are all ways to give materially. But, there are a myriad of intangible ways to give as well. Time, respect, consideration, care, and concern are just some of the intangible ways to give.
After we are gone, people are not going to be as prone to talking about all the things that we had in our lives. No. They will talk about how we gave to others. Let’s make sure we leave them plenty of talking points.
FAITH ACTION: Try not to be overly concerned with self today. Rather, look out for the welfare and benefit of those around you.