Jen Zila says this over there:
will love until it feels uncomfortable, and when i start to get comfortable with that, i’ll give until it gets uncomfortable again. because, a $25 check isn’t much of a stretch in our household it doesn’t really ‘cost’ us. but a $250 check? a $2500 check? it hurts a little. it means we don’t get to eat out for a while. or buy new clothes. or find our security in a bank account. it does mean that someone gets to eat. wears clothes. that i become vested with someone else’s worth. and that is love.
I just want to go out on a limb here and say that I know about you people reading this blog. If you’re avergae Americans, you have an average household income of about $50K according to the Census bereau. After taxes, that’s about $37,500 — or about $720 a week.
You could give up Soda/Coke/Pop in your house and wind up with $40 a month to support one child through Compassion International or some other organization — and you wouldn’t be uncomfortable. You’d probably lose that 10-15 lbs you’ve been trying to lose for years.
Now, Listen: I’m not one of those grim-faced half-empty types who thinks we Christians don’t do our part — because if we stopped giving for some 3-month period (on purpose; to make a point), the flow of international aid to the world from the US would almost be cut in half. So as I say what I’m going to say next, don’t hear me say that you don’t do enough: you do way more than average.
But you have been given much. And we usually read this in the context of Christ, which is exactly right, and we think it means forgiveness and peace with God, and this is also exactly right. But you have been given much more than that.
Your house or apartment is never cold; your fridge is never empty. Sometimes you skip lunch, but you never miss a meal.
You could give from your “much” and never really feel it. What if you instead gave from your “self” — from the part that you think makes you feel safe?
I think you’d find out what’s holy. It might edify you. It might embarass and shock you.
Try it.
Dear Reader,
Can I be direct with you?
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