For Such a Time as This: Choosing Wisely

Our first stop on our Lenten journey was the parable about the rich man and Lazarus. We explored what it means to “choose wisely” with our lives and our resources.

In a world were there are so many who behave like the rich man in the story, how do we live a life of service and grace? It is challenging. Contrary to Jesus’ parable, it seems like many people have chosen wealth and scarcity over sharing resources and abundance?

There was a line in our Ash Wednesday service that caught my attention this year. It was something like, “Give out of your need, not out of your abundance.” While I’m not entirely certain I know what this means, it feels important.

Perhaps it’s that we are asked to give more than what is easy and comfortable for us. And I’m not just thinking finances. What if the invitation “to give” is an invitation to venture beyond where we are comfortable, where we have a degree of power and privilege, into those places where we are not so sure of ourselves?

I wonder if choosing wisely this season may result in our lives changing to embrace more grace-inspired risk taking. What do I mean? Well, I will use money as an example.

Let’s say I have $100 to get through my week after all my basic needs are met. So I have food, shelter, clothing, phone, etc. This money would be for gas and incidentals. I have choices to make.

My first thought might be to put gas in my car and then keep the rest “just in case.” However, I’ve been told that I will not be able to carry any money left at the end of this week into next week. What do I do?

I can purchase things I want or go out to dinner. No harm in that. Then I get to thinking about the people I pass with signs asking for money. I think about all the Go-fund-me asks on social media. There are lots of places that would benefit from my $100.

So what if, instead of buying whatever occurs to me, I give the whole $100 to someone who really needs it? And then, what if I add in another $100 which would mean I cut back on my own groceries and visits to coffee shops?

Which gift has more meaning? The first $100 or the second? Maybe this is giving from need rather than abundance…

I think it works this way with our other gifts as well. Sometimes it is easier to donate money than it is to do work that is needed. We can learn more about supporting our neighbors, and then take action. We can choose how we spend our time and energy.

Yes, we do need to take care of ourselves so that we remain strong and as healthy as possible. However, we also need to care for others in ways that matter. Giving away what we will not miss is easy.

Giving away time, money, talents, compassion that means making active choices about our resources might be giving with more grace.

Whatever this might mean for you, how are you choosing wisely this season? Where have you left “a trace of grace?”