MAXIMUM SHARING

…freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:8b

I saw the most remarkable thing two weeks ago in Haiti. My friend John was showing us around a small village made up of former tent-city dwellers. Like the Pied Piper we were followed by an enthusiastic group of small children.

We stopped at a tiny cinder-block home in front of which a woman had fashioned a little convenience store of tarp and wooden poles. John introduced us and pulled out his wallet.

“Watch this,” he said. John bought a solitary small packet of cookies and handed it to a tiny preschooler.

This little one, surrounded by numerous others, silently began opening the package as we waited breathlessly. As soon the wrapper was removed, she systematically began handing out her cookies one by one not bothering to keep one for herself.

John bought more cookies, and we watched the action repeated until not a single child was denied the treat. A little child shall lead them.

Not only are most of us lavished with material goods, but we have free and abundant access to every spiritual blessing heaven affords. Are we passing these things around so that everyone is nourished? Who needs a cookie? Pass it around.

Father, forgive us for our selfishness. There’s plenty of blessing to go around. Here’s my part. Begin with me. Amen.