Thursday, February 26, 2004

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
(Luke 1.68 NRSV)
"If you love those who love you," Jesus said, "what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that . . ." We think that the difference between the redeemed and the sinner is righteousness. Surprise! The difference between the redeemed and the sinner is mercy, compassion, generosity.

The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he was passing by. Alexander threw the man several gold coins. A courtier was astonished at Alexander's generosity and commented, "Your Highness, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar's need. Why give him gold?" Alexander responded in royal fashion, "Copper coins would suit the beggar's need, but gold coins suit Alexander's giving." Generosity says more about the giver than about the one who receives. Generosity is the mark of a redeemed heart.

Dear God, help me to have a generous and redeemed heart. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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