what is the best gift of all?

 


Pope Francis, himself a very frugal, simple person, has decried one of his own archbishops for living in a 42 million dollar mansion and has put him on permanent suspension. The pope feels that to walk with Christ, one must shun outside extravagances that only get in the way of the true message of God, just as Jesus admonished all who wanted to follow Him. (Matthew 19:21). Jesus also told others to give away all that they have to the poor. If they had an extra cloak or shoes, to give them away. Why keep more than what you need?

Where I live is a townhome community made up of many income levels. There are those who have more than enough and those who need more to just get by. A couple from a nearby church pick up day-old bread from the local grocer and bag it up, giving it to those they know who are in need. One day I noticed the bags sitting by several doorsteps and as I was taking out my trash, I noticed a gal who received one of the bags also walking towards the dumpster area. She was carrying a bag of bread. I asked her if there was anything wrong with er bread and her reply was; "I don't like what I was given!" I offered to take the bag from her, as I hate to see things go to waste. I brought it home and found eight bags of dinner rolls, which I gave thanks to God for and put them in the freezer. I pondered this. Hungry but choosy about what one receives...now that is a new one by me! Why look the proverbial gift horse in the mouth!

In my complex, I find many things just tossed in the dumpster, from furniture to baby items to bicycles and clothes. Lots of clothes. When I was much younger, I used to go "dumpster diving" and found many things that I needed...as my family was poor and we couldn't afford much. I was always grateful. I guess that having been there, I can walk in those same shoes now and see it for what it is: wasteful! I always bring this stuff home and clean it all up and either donate it to a charity or sell it online to those who need it. In my own life, I do live simply, but I also make certain that others can simply live! For the many contacts that I make while selling this stuff, I learn that they are down on their luck, they are in need and to them, this is a God send!

From being wasteful due to laziness or being wasteful due to extreme want, either is a sin before God, did you know that? When so many others are hurting for the basics, to hoard or waste without giving another the opportunity to have something with dignity is just wrong.

How much do you have that absolutely NEED? NOT want...need? Do you really need a coat for every day of the week? What about all that clutter in your closets...does it represent the clutter of your life? What holds you back from serving others so completely?

The season of commercialism is just around the corner...you may refer to it as Christmas, though I doubt it is what Jesus had in mind when he was born here on earth. I call it a ridiculous idea of how to obtain more and more stuff. Take a look around you. Who is in need...what do they lack? This is the best gift of Christmas that you can give to anyone...to forsake something for yourself so that another can have something.
Isn't that the best gift of all?