It goes well with those who are generous is a message today
in the Roman Catholic Lectionary from the psalmist. In the Letter to the Philippians,
Paul expresses his thanks and satisfaction that the community of Philippi has
sent money to support him in prison as he awaits trial. Friar Jude Winkler
reminds us that prisoners were responsible for their own support. Paul may be
uncomfortable with accepting this assistance. Paul declares that he has lived
both with material wealth and without it. He proclaims that he is empowered to
be able to endure all things by Jesus who strengthens him. Paul is pleased that the community has shown
such generosity. The generous response of people to need is witness to a desire
to put the welfare of brothers and sisters before our attachment to our
possessions. The Gospel of Luke offers advice on using our possessions and
wealth in the service of the will of God. This path of generosity is evidence
that we are choosing to serve the Divine Master rather than the allure of
wealth. A difficulty in some expressions of our relationship with God is the
concept that the Lord blesses the righteous with wealth. The Christian form of
this idea is found in the “prosperity Gospel”. The children of God are the
recipients of the overwhelming generosity and graciousness of the Father. When
our giftedness begins to own us and we see our welfare and prestige as our just
reward, we are drifting from the witness of the community of Philippi who
served God in generosity to the needs of Paul.
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