ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

   GIVING THE GIFT OF BENEVOLENCE

To possess benevolence is to give with charitable purpose, with no intent to profit from what is given. It is a marvelous gift to receive a random act of kindness from one who seeks no recognition. One of the sweetest stories is that of the widow’s mite who gave the ultimate gift.

The Christian lesson of the widow's mite, as relayed in Luke (21:1-4) and Mark (12:41-44), is an enduring testament to the value of benevolence. A destitute widow has only a few mites to her name, which she gave selflessly as her donation to the Temple. 

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their offerings into the temple treasury.  Then he saw a poor widow put in two mites, which was everything that she possessed.   

“And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:1-4

A Mite was an ancient penny that was nearly worthless at the time.  To Jesus, her modest gift was worth more than the ostentatious contributions of the wealthy, for her mites represented all her earthly possessions. This virtuous woman had demonstrated the selfless act of benevolence; she did not know where her next meal would come from, but she gave without asking for anything in return.

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

This Christmas season may we embrace the virtue of benevolence.

Linda Sumner Urza written for: onefineday11.blogspot.com

(The picture above of the Widow's Mite is a painting by James Christensen)

ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

  GIVING THE GIFT OF CHARITY

My son, David, was serving a church mission in the country of Venezuela. One morning, upon leaving his apartment, he noticed a homeless man sitting on the ground by an empty building. 

The man’s clothing was tattered and torn and he had no shoes upon his feet.  When David passed by, his heart was overcome with pain in knowing the struggles of this stranger''s difficult life.  He went back into his apartment and gathered together some belongings and then he approached the man.  He knelt down on one knee and laid the pile of clothing next to where the stranger was sitting. 

“I want you to have these.” David offered in kind. 

The man lifted his face with an empty glance and then he replied, “I don't want them.” He quickly turned away in an attempt to hide his face. 

David did not retreat. “Yes, you do. You're my brother and I want you to have them.”  

Then he laid the clothing next to the stranger's feet and nodded his head to confirm the gift that was given. The image on the man's face had softened and his countenance became that of a friend.  “Thank you.”  He graciously replied.

“...if a man hath not charity, he hath nothing.” 

Everyone we meet in this life is fighting some kind of battle. Many trials cannot be seen nor heard, yet the challenges cause deep scars to those who bear the heavy and relentless burdens.

The Apostle Paul clearly understood the meaning of charity in his Epistle to the Corinthians:

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
 

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

This Christmas season may we truly understand the gift of charity.

This was written by Linda Sumer Urza for: onefineday11.blogspot.com

  

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

       GIVING THE GIFT OF LOVE

Love is the greatest gift of all. It cannot be bought, sold, or traded. 

Love knows its own law; it cannot be captured nor can it be imprisoned. 

It cannot be forced nor can it be deprived or prevented.   

Love is not a substance, a commodity, or a marketable power source.  

Love itself cannot be manipulated or restrained; it knows no territory, no borders, or no quantifiable mass. 

The origin of love is God and it magnifies in power and strength when its given away.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Love understands that we are all connected. It is inherently compassionate and empathic, and it longs to forgive and forget. True love is divine and has the potential to create Heaven on Earth. 

This Christmas season may you give the gift of love.  

Linda Sumner Urza, written for: onefineday11.blogspot.com