God entrusts us with the goods of creation, which we are meant to use for the fruitfulness of all of God’s people
Everything good in our lives has been entrusted to us by our Creator. That statement reflects the reality of creation before sin entered the picture. God didn’t create death or suffering, and He created a world that had enough of everything so that everyone could have what they need. But since sin entered the world, this is no longer true. Not everyone in God’s creation has what they need. We may say that imbalance exists because some people work harder than others. That might be true for a very small group of people who refuse to work, but for the most part, people lacking what they need is not due to their personality or work ethic.
Not everyone has access to safe drinking water. Not everyone has access to safe shelter, clothing or food. People need those things to stay alive and flourish in this life. Not everyone can access medicines that cure illnesses. People need them to stay healthy. Not everyone has access to safe, secure and nonviolent environments. People need that to stay psychologically healthy. Not everyone can practice their faith as God has revealed Himself to them. Everyone needs that to stay spiritually healthy. So much of the unfulfilled need in the world has happened because parts of the population hoard more of the world’s resources than they need. We have made the hoarding of the earth’s resources a virtue rather than a vice. We see it as a sign of success rather than a sin against our brothers and sisters.
When God entrusts us with the goods of creation, we are meant to use them for the fruitfulness of all of God’s people. We usually start with providing for ourselves and our families, which is our natural responsibility. But because we have created an unnecessary fear of insufficiency, many people amass resources for themselves and their families that go far beyond any possible needs or healthy wants. If Jesus is the example we follow, we may need to look at how we are using the talents God has entrusted to us.
Voluntarily offering ourselves as a sacrificial gift for others is the manner and model of Jesus’ life. Jesus trusted that there would always be enough to feed everyone. He believed there was always enough love to go around if we were generous and sacrificial with it. He also crossed many taboo religious and cultural boundaries to teach us that many inequities are built upon hatreds and prejudices. He took every opportunity to show us what it looks like to make sure everyone is taken care of and has what they need.
Although we cannot solve all the world’s problems or set right all inequities, we can do our part by examining the talents God has given us and using them in a way that is fruitful and sacrificial. Instead of burying them or keeping all access to ourselves, we can truly be a gift to others. Those of us who are members of the Catholic Church are reminded regularly that we are called to tithe the resources that we’ve been given. The real meaning of tithing is to take 10% of our gross income and offer it as a gift to the work of the Church and the work of the larger community. Do we tithe, or have we found a reason not to follow God’s guidance?
Check where we bury our excess. Is there a way to become more sacrificial so God’s gifts might be more fruitful for everyone?
