If You've Been Given Security, Share It

I was talking to a wise older woman the other day about the burden of financial security I felt right now. For now, I am blessed with a job. I am blessed with a good income. I am blessed with a sense of some security in the short term at least as my job is 'in demand' right now and I manage critical programs. I am blessed with financial wisdom -- I know how to save enough, live simply, and use my income wisely. All that carries with it financial responsibility. 

But there are so many needs in the world and community right now that I have become overwhelmed with a constant array of emergency financial needs in my mailbox, email, on social media, and virtually everywhere I look on a daily basis. I find that God always gives me "a number" when it comes to giving. The number seems to sit on my heart and then I respond. Lately though, everytime I think I've given enough, my conscience is pricked again for more and I face these questions: How am I to discern how much to give? How much is too little? How much is too much? 

She said to me something profound: "You were given security to be stability for those who have not been given it. You give your contribution and that's enough. God takes care of the rest."

It reminded me of the early Christian community we read about post-Easter. How they shared resources together to make sure everyone had enough. Maybe that's what God's calling us to. Radical generosity. Radical sharing of our gifts for the welfare of others. Especially now when we are more sliced down the middie: the many "haves" and the many "have nots."

That gave me a sense of peace. Think about that. Have you been given the same? If you have, look at the instability around you. Immerse yourself in it. The unemployment. The suffering. The financial disarray. The organizations disabling from not enough funds. How can you not see more opportunities to share? To gift what you have?

Your gift is meant to be shared with others. But you must also know that when you give your contribution that you discerned, it's enough. God takes care of the rest. That's how we as humans partner with God in His plan and provision to meet the world's needs.