A Few Final Words About Living More Frugally in Order to Help Those in Need
We found some inspiring words to help us live more frugally in order to help those in need. Our last few posts have explained why, for us Catholics it's not something we do as a favor to anyone. We're obliged to do this. And yet, because so many of us live relatively comfortable lives compared to the rest of the world, it's understandable, given fallen human nature, that the idea of giving things up may not really excite you.
No problem. Most of us are likely sailing in that boat. You know, the one that's just heavenly as it glides across placid waters. Why kick up the surf and spoil things? Does anyone want to sail into a storm? Of course not. And giving up creature comforts may very well feel like a storm in our relatively comfortable, even luxurious lives. Perhaps not Superstorm Sandy, but maybe a stiff Nor'Easter.
In any case, these words of St. Paul may shake us out of our little comfort zones. Just the tonic we need to get us to "be not afraid" when it comes to really cutting down on what floats our boat, get frugal, and direct our savings to help others. Compared to the circumstances of St. Paul's life that he himself outlines here, it's hard to see how giving stuff up can be a big deal.
(BTW, when St. Paul refers to "my daily instance" towards the end of his list, he's referring to his normal, everyday work.)
From 2 Corinthians 11: 23-28
Of course, we're not minimizing any hardships or suffering you may currently be enduring. Heaven knows many of us face great trials as we wind our way through this Valley of Tears. But as for applying a little frugal flame to our everyday lives, I think most of us can stand the heat. Without getting into too much detail here, perhaps if you look around and simply count your blessings, you'll find there's room to cut down or cut out what you might have thought were somehow essential expenditures and direct some of your resources to some person or persons who really need a lift. It may help to remember that to the extent you reduce your own circumstances here and now, you not only improve the lot of someone in need - an act of charity - but you'll improve your chances of entering a neighborhood (we call it "Heaven") where everything you currently possess or may aspire to possess will pale, to put it mildly, in comparison.
Today, let's allow St. Paul's remarkably striking list of afflictions to clear our minds of the clutter of having or wanting more stuff. His example clears not only our minds, but the way to a life of sacrifice, a life lived for others, in an authentically Catholic sense. So it's off to work we go, invigorated and enlivened by our newfound determination to resist the urge to pile up our treasures here on earth, do the best work we can as we live more frugally, and, by God's grace, be in a position to provide relief and comfort for those who truly need our help.
No problem. Most of us are likely sailing in that boat. You know, the one that's just heavenly as it glides across placid waters. Why kick up the surf and spoil things? Does anyone want to sail into a storm? Of course not. And giving up creature comforts may very well feel like a storm in our relatively comfortable, even luxurious lives. Perhaps not Superstorm Sandy, but maybe a stiff Nor'Easter.
In any case, these words of St. Paul may shake us out of our little comfort zones. Just the tonic we need to get us to "be not afraid" when it comes to really cutting down on what floats our boat, get frugal, and direct our savings to help others. Compared to the circumstances of St. Paul's life that he himself outlines here, it's hard to see how giving stuff up can be a big deal.
(BTW, when St. Paul refers to "my daily instance" towards the end of his list, he's referring to his normal, everyday work.)
From 2 Corinthians 11: 23-28
...in many more labours , in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes, save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and day I was in the depth of the sea.Really, can you imagine any sort of frugality that might put you anywhere near St. Paul's league here when it comes to sacrifice, even suffering?
In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren. In labour and painfulness in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches...
Of course, we're not minimizing any hardships or suffering you may currently be enduring. Heaven knows many of us face great trials as we wind our way through this Valley of Tears. But as for applying a little frugal flame to our everyday lives, I think most of us can stand the heat. Without getting into too much detail here, perhaps if you look around and simply count your blessings, you'll find there's room to cut down or cut out what you might have thought were somehow essential expenditures and direct some of your resources to some person or persons who really need a lift. It may help to remember that to the extent you reduce your own circumstances here and now, you not only improve the lot of someone in need - an act of charity - but you'll improve your chances of entering a neighborhood (we call it "Heaven") where everything you currently possess or may aspire to possess will pale, to put it mildly, in comparison.
Today, let's allow St. Paul's remarkably striking list of afflictions to clear our minds of the clutter of having or wanting more stuff. His example clears not only our minds, but the way to a life of sacrifice, a life lived for others, in an authentically Catholic sense. So it's off to work we go, invigorated and enlivened by our newfound determination to resist the urge to pile up our treasures here on earth, do the best work we can as we live more frugally, and, by God's grace, be in a position to provide relief and comfort for those who truly need our help.
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