The Vocation of Giving and Receiving

The Vocation of Giving and Receiving “Someone else can feed her. I’ve got enough of my own that I am responsible for.” “My time is valuable. I don’t have to spend it helping those who should be helping themselves!” It is brash human nature to think that others, especially adults, should take care of themselves. It is selfish human nature to avoid helping someone in need because of a big ego, greed or laziness. It is not a blow to self-dignity to give or allow another to aid you. In fact, giving and accepting the blessing of another is receiving the gift that God worked diligently to prepare for you and someone else. When the disciples thought they could not help thousands of people with a meal, Jesus challenged them to use the resources that they had at hand and leave the rest to Him. Take time to look around you and see who needs help, attention and love. Pride-filled people will hesitate to ask for anything and may miss many wonderful miracles. What may start out as a challenge will become easier with persistence and regularity. Make it your life’s vocation to give humbly when and what you can and receive with thanksgiving a gift from the heart. Matthew 14:14-21 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.