Tag: Generosity

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The Secret to the Good Life

What is the essential ingredient to the good life?

Since Aristotle first spoke of “the good life” almost 2,500 years ago, it seems everyone has been on a quest to experience it. I have heard many people speak about it and I have read many books on the subject. Some people think it’s about success and accomplishment. Others think it’s about money and things. Some think it’s about love and family. Others think it’s about food, wine, travel, adventure, education, meaningful work, independence, friendship, and pleasure. There’s nothing wrong with these things, unless these things are all you’ve got. Because even all of these things together will not deliver the good life.

There is only one ingredient essential to the good life. So essential that without it, the good life is impossible. You would think that such an ingredient would be widely sought after. It isn’t. You might think that such an ingre- dient is scarce. It isn’t. You may think this ingredient is expensive. It isn’t. You may think people would be clam- oring to get their hands on it. They aren’t.

When people talk about the good life, you get the impression that it is mysterious and only available to a select few people. This isn’t true. There is no secret to the good life. It isn’t a mystery. No exceptional talent is required. It isn’t only for the rich and famous. It is available to everyone, everywhere, at all times.

What is the essential ingredient of the good life? Goodness itself. The secret to the so-called good life has always been right before our very eyes. If you wish to live the good life, fill your life with goodness. Fill your life with love, kindness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity.

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Minute Meditation – The Way to Spiritual Freedom

Selflessness and material generosity flow from and into spiritual freedom. And this free spirit leads us unerringly out of ourselves to God who is perfect freedom and in whom and for whom we move with the uninhibited freedom of a child. We become aware that we are children of a God who loves us with a Father and Mother’s love, and everything we do becomes a gift for God, to please and thank God for being who God is to us. Gradually, the negativism and disapproval of life’s persistent critics means little at all when compared to our determination to do the will of the One who made us and redeemed us. Even our occasional ignorance of what that will is, is purified in our intention to do it as best we can.

—from the book Song of the Sparrow: New Poems and Meditations by Murray Bodo, OFM

//Franciscan Media//

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Morning Offering – Helping Someone in Need is Good. . .

“Helping a person in need is good in itself. But the degree of goodness is hugely affected by the attitude with which it is done. If you show resentment because you are helping the person out of a reluctant sense of duty, then the person may receive your help but may feel awkward and embarrassed. This is because he will feel beholden to you. If, on the other hand, you help the person in a spirit of joy, then the help will be received joyfully. The person will feel neither demeaned nor humiliated by your help, but rather will feel glad to have caused you pleasure by receiving your help. And joy is the appropriate attitude with which to help others because acts of generosity are a source of blessing to the giver as well as the receiver.”
— St. John Chrysostom

//The Catholic Company//

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Daily Devotion – Willing Generosity

“In a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality … They gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.” – 2 Corinthians 8:2-4 NASB

The churches of Macedonia had to endure afflictions and trials. They experienced stress and pressure and faced oppression and tribulation. They had many needs and struggled with poverty. It would have been understandable if they hoarded their resources and focused on themselves. But, instead, they demonstrated a remarkable spirit of generosity.

They focused on ways they could give to help others. They did not just give a little, but they gave above and beyond what Paul expected. And their actions were voluntary. They begged to be able to give!

What was their motive? They were generous and eager to give because they had dedicated themselves to the Lord. They were His and committed everything to Him. They were obedient to God’s commands to give generously to the work of the Gospel. They were willing to trust in Him for every need and every problem they faced.

The Bible urges us to be like these Macedonians. People in the world may be self-centered and only think about themselves. But God’s people should be sold out for Him. They should be sowing liberally into His Kingdom with their time, talents, and treasures – their “seeds.”

Seek every opportunity to give to God’s work. Don’t be reluctant, but give freely and with joy. Remember that He promises to multiply your gifts. Be confident that He will provide for your needs. Let Him use you to bless others and impact lives for His kingdom.

Prayer
Father, I desire to serve You with all my resources and abilities. I long to give to Your kingdom. I trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 8
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The Bible in a Year – Day 262 – The Father’s Generosity

As we read about the many miracles Jesus performs in today’s readings from Matthew, Fr. Mike asserts the objective reality of those miracles and reinforces that Jesus is truly the Son of God who has power over matter. We learn that in Jesus, we too can do things that we could never do on our own. Today’s readings are Matthew 14-17, and Proverbs 19:9-12.

Click on link: https://youtu.be/X_ADBnj9aBk