A heart of generosity

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night

Your life is being demanded of you.” Luke 12:20

 

Read Luke 16:19—31

Yes, it takes a great deal to move the human heart. Mostly my heart is defiant. Mostly it is self-centred. When disturbed, I only make enough changes to get comfortable again. Left to itself, my heart will harbour its pitiful love of riches. You can preach to it about equal love for the neighbour or the alien,[1] about providing for the poor and the orphan and the widow,[2] and I can say, ‘Yes, yes, absolutely right and good, it’s all in the Biblical law, anyway,’ and be very little moved to deny myself anything. It is true, I can believe in the one risen from the dead, believe he is alive, and that he is the key to all life and the guide to true life-style, yet never find myself giving to those who ask, though he told me to do that.[3] I clearly need an infusion of the heart of God, the Holy Spirit’s fullness. My heart needs to be broken if I am to go where Christ leads.

Prayer
Dear Lord, you have a way of exposing me. You expose me to the very heart of God, the very generosity of God. You yourself are the God who has given yourself away, abandoned yourself for this wretched race, and for me, out of love and joy. I cannot ask for a peaceful rest this night if I am selfish and defiant. Wrestle with me. By your Spirit conquer me. Bend my will to yours, my heart to yours. May I fall I in love with your generosity. May the life-style of giving become not a dread but a joy and an opportunity to know you better.

[1] Leviticus 19:34

[2] Deuteronomy 24:19—22

[3] Matthew 5:42