I'm not sure why I wrote those words a month or so ago, but they've been sitting on my desk staring at me ever since I did. The natural "worldly" response when things get tight is to pull in the reins on generosity. But, it is not the spiritual, or even the true simplicity, response. Jesus also implies a different philosophy for his followers when he holds up the contribution of a poor widow as being greater than that of the Pharisees since her few pennies was all she had, while theirs came from abundance (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4). It is also related to the Parable of the Sower when he explains how "the worries about this life ..... crowd in and choke the message" (Mark 4:13-20, Matthew 13:18-23, Luke 8:11-15). Faith and hoarding just do not go together. But it's an easy "line" to lose perspective on under the guise of "good planning" or "economy".

A while back an Iraqi Christian, who had left Iraq to avoid persecution under Sadam, came to the Center. He had seen the Sharing in Christ sign on the side of the building. Over the weeks he used the phone to seek employment, but his English isn't the best, so opportunities weren't exactly busting loose all over. Things were strained with his family, and his finances were tight. In Iran he had been a business owner but his assets remained behind, no longer worth anything with Iran being cut off from the rest of the world and the currency devalued. After speaking with him one day, on which he seemed particularly depressed, I felt God whisper to me, "you give him some work." Now, to truly appreciate my first reaction you would have to know what little resources I operate on around here, and how small a balance is usually in the checkbook (less than two fishes and a few loaves I assure you). But, if I really believe what I say I believe, then it all belongs to God, so if He wants to use it all up in a few hours (even using all the balance) of employment for someone? Pfft, go for it! Well, those of you who have ever doubted God's wisdom know how it turned out. After four days of work, the yard, trees, and shrubs around the Center never looked better. Work, by the way, that I had been complaining to God about trying to fit in with all that I had still to do. The bills got paid on time. And the fellow who did the work? Well, he worked hard, for a low hourly wage (in spite of having been a businessman in his previous country), and when I wrote the small check (for all that was left in the checkbook) he smiled. "God provides," he said.