A Cup of Generosity: Not just about money
A Cup of Generosity is a monthly letter from Pastor Dana Karen Reardon and the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team.
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.”
Generosity is not just about our money. It is an attitude. It is a way of viewing the world. I was sitting watching the news and bemoaning the fate of the Afghans who had supported the US and their possible fate. Like for most people it brought me memories of the fall of South Vietnam and the plight of those who had aided the US.
People with generous hearts that come from the heart of God are grieved when seeing this kind of devastation. Some people like me just moan but others take action.
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services had a staff of four in April 1975 when Saigon was being evacuated. They were asked to assist the government in resettling refugees from this crisis. They stepped up and took on the problem, becoming a force of 100 in short order. Some Seminarians and Professors left class early to be part of this great effort. Churches were asked to support families and help them acclimate to a new life.
LIRS is stepping up again. As I was watching what was happening in Kabul, I got an email from LIRS looking for donations and volunteers. What a great gift they are giving us by offering us a way to do something positive. It appears that most of the volunteers right now are needed in The greater DC area and in Washington State, but I donated and then volunteered just in case they could use me here.
This is a whole chain of generosity. They are generously helping to offer a new life to people in desperate straights. They are also offering those of us who don’t know what to do except feel awful about the situation a concrete way to help.
So I decided to be a part of that chain of generosity by offering all of you who are seeing what is happening with hurting hearts a way to help. Go to LIRS.org It always helps when crises come to be part of the solution. Since we know of God's great love of these desperate people, how can we but want to be a part of God care for them.
Let us pray,
“Lord, we give you thanks for all you have given us and especially that your generosity to us has made it possible for us to help others and to be a part of your work in this world.”
