Mark 12: 38-44
“Generous Living”
November 11, 2018
“For of those to whom much is given, much is required.” John F. Kennedy uttered these famous words as he often did by taking a quote from somewhere else and putting his own spin on it which was known to drive his speechwriter and his wife Jackie as well as researchers at the Library of Congress a bit crazy. Often he would conflate two or more quotes into one. This one however came pretty close to the Gospel writer Luke’s quote which continues, “ and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)
The roots of monetary generosity differ from person to person. For some people it comes from a value instilled since childhood that sharing is important. Some do it for as practical a reason as a tax write off. For others it is based in scripture, where the essential moral act is to care for the poor, this message repeatedly driven home by multiple prophets and leaders and Jesus himself.
Interestingly, today’s passage begins as an indictment of those who seek honor and recognition for what they do. As experts in the Law of Moses, scribes had a tremendous responsibility to interpret what was God’s will as shown in Scripture. They performed a vital function but Jesus’ problem is not in their sharing of knowledge but rather their claim of the spotlight in doing so as well as having a part in taking advantage of the poor. When the widow puts in her last 2 lepta or penny-like coins, Jesus is quick to contrast the giving from a place of abundance to the self-less giving of this woman who in that day having been widowed would have been totally reliant on her eldest son if she had one or her family of birth if that’s possible or she may have had to take to begging if there is no one to see to her. And yet she gives with a generous heart but that does not mean that some will not try to take advantage of that giving spirit. Another problem Jesus has here is that the religious authorities are using the gifts of people like the widow to secure fancy clothes and places of honor. In holding up the widow, Jesus is able to draw the contrast between the takers and the givers of the world.
Today we will be honoring the life and legacy of a man who was decidedly a most generous giver. The former Methodist Church Building has been renamed in honor of a man who came from modest means but many talents and he generously and selflessly shared those with his family, his community and this, his church. We do not have to look far to see his handiwork. Here in this sanctuary we can thank Clyde Dunlap for much of the woodwork you see – these podiums, the baptismal font, the altar table. The kitchen cabinets are thanks to Clyde’s dedication. His gifts as a carpenter are an integral part of many local homes and he even had his own saw mill on his property. Early in life, Clyde learned to give of himself generously. He was the first Eagle Scout in Arlington as a teenager and then during WWII, he served as an Air Raid Warden. He treasured his community and lived a generous life of service to the town of Sunderland where he was the Fire Warden for decades and worked tirelessly as a member of the Select Board for an amazing 42 years. Clyde’s generosity was deep and wide and unlike the scribes that Jesus is pointing the finger at, he did all of this with quiet humility. He lived out his faith by offering his hands and mind and heart.
To be extravagantly generous with one’s gifts in humble service to others is what Jesus is directing us toward. We have a responsibility to care with generous hearts for our modern-day widows and orphans. We have the means to do so much together as church – making sure there will be money for those struggling to stay warm this winter with next week’s Eat for Heat dinner. Bringing in baby items to fill diaper bags that will go with the youngest children in the foster care system who are being moved to a safer place. Gathering food so that those of our neighbors who have to make hard decisions like choosing between gas money to get to work or warm clothes for their children or paying their utilities will not have to do so on top of grumbling stomachs or deny their children basic nutrition. To live generously is to constantly inventory our assets – time, money, attention, skills and determine how the world will be a more loving place when those gifts are shared. A generous life means one lived with others always in mind.
A generous heart is one that has room for the pain of others. Last weekend was filled with celebration on a cold and rainy field in Bellows Falls when, in overtime, the Arlington boys’ soccer team won their game with a single well-placed kick and there was much jubilation among players, coaches, parents and spectators – on one side. Responding to the tremendous emotion of loss as West Rutland players dropped to the ground in profound disappointment, one Arlington player, Matthew Ritchie, recognizing how pained they were and how it could have easily gone the other way, moved toward an opposing player that he had seen play a hard and good game, offering words of comfort and reassurance, having witnessed his skill in making some great saves throughout the game. Soon others from Arlington followed his lead, with pats on the back, words of comfort and handshakes. This was a lesson for so many of us on what a generous heart looks like with skin on. This is an example to pass on to children and, I would say, a number of adults, focused more on coming out ahead rather than the life-changing impact they can have by spreading their generosity around.
Another key part of today’s story of the widow is that she, who societally was viewed as insignificant as a poor woman without a husband, was noticed. Jesus specifically was watching the parade of the rich dropping money from their abundance and he took notice of the widow in her poverty. To notice her is to grant her significance and importance. Are there people who go unnoticed and unvalued that we might recognize and acknowledge their worth? Perhaps those who live on the margins and whom others rarely engage with or ask the opinion of, those whose voices are rarely heard? How about the poor, those who may not look or speak or worship as we do? Maybe it is those who labor mightily at unglamorous and hard jobs barely making ends meet. These are the ones for whom a dose of generosity – in the form of support or advocacy or engagement – may do nothing to better our place in the world but just might make all the difference to their lives. We all want respect. We all have the potential for generosity in its many forms. I close then with these words from the Rev. Andy Hart:
Someone once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Go out today to make your life by giving. Give love, give joy, give selflessly, give generously. Give your all. Amen. (www.d365.org)