Gifts

This reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw years ago: “The one with the most toys at the end wins.” Wins what? What does one win by owning a big house, a cottage, a boat, more than one vehicle? What does one win, and who does one win against? Surely life is about more than accumulating stuff, more than having showy toys to play with. There is another saying I’m reminded of, “You can’t take it with you.”

It’s not wrong to have things, to enjoy the luxuries of life. However, I believe what Jesus is saying is that we must not lose sight of who blessed us to begin with. I believe that this passage reminds us to share with those around us, to love and to be thankful. When we are generous with the gifts we receive from God, then we share God’s love with others. We have been blessed by God, and when we share our wealth, our time and our love, we give back to the community around us, and we spread the love of God through Christ with others.

God of kindness, help us remember that you have blessed us with many gifts. May we go out and share our many blessings with those around us. Amen. — GB