Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes
that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am
the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:10
Doesn’t this passage apply to most of us in today’s culture in many parts of the world? I think God’s message is loud and clear, and sobering. We have so much! While our brothers and sisters, not far from us have little. Most of us, in our busyness, barely take the time to consider this.
Everything around us is being presented large these days; we drive larger vehicles, look for bigger houses,
even fast foods are all “super-sized;” and we believe we are entitled to the abundance. We strive to get the most out of every experience, every dollar or whatever it is, that is before of us. There is certainly everything right about being economical, of course, but continuous overindulgence is another thing. In general we have become a selfish people. Oh yes, we send our money to charity, perhaps occasionally give of ourselves,
but how often do we just turn our backs? We continue to overspend and overeat with little regard to the outcome or to the many right in front of us struggling to survive. We overeat, oversleep and overplay, but do
we ever “over” pray?
God has provided us with everything necessary to live, and even more actually. He fills our baskets and
hands to the point of overflowing; giving us more than enough to share! Yet, in our self-concern we do not
recognize the overflow. We worry about tomorrow and our own state of well-being. We worry that there will
not be enough of anything to last us, whether it is food, material goods, or contributions of our time. Yet,
God clearly tells us that there is enough; what we harvest is sufficient with plenty still left over for those in
need. It is in our selfish over accumulation that there is nothing left over for the poor. It takes courage to
take a step back and evaluate our own personal situation; our own carelessness with the gifts God has
given us.
With prayer and contemplation, our spirits grow in gratitude, and we recognize the unmistakable abundance
in our midst; and what we have to offer the poor in body and spirit is made clear. I am reminded though, of
the lesson of the “Widow’s mite.”( Mark 12: 41-44) She gave from the little she had, not from her abundance; and in fact, she gave all she had! It seems that it is only with a grateful, generous heart that we are capable
of giving to others as God has directed.
Thank you God for giving us more than enough! Help us to share with a generous spirit.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson