Kindness is like a garden of blessings and almsgiving endures forever. (Sirach 40:17)
Scripture tells us to reach out with kindness, share our gardens, cultivate friendships. As we share, we recognize that we have more than we realized, more than enough to be thankful for.
This is the wisdom behind almsgiving, a practice of giving without expectation of something in return.
Generosity may benefit another person, but even more, it benefits the giver. When we give, we remind ourselves that we have more than enough to share—even if by cultural standards, it seems like so little. Generosity changes our understanding.
This message was adapted from the November 2012 Café faith reflection, Being Thankful, written by Joy McDonald Coltvet. If you are reading “Daily Grace” online, sign up to receive it by email daily.