Generosity and prodigality

WE have to learn to distinguish between the two since both

can look the same and can involve more or less the same amount of

money, time, effort, etc. Generosity is, of course, not prodigality,

though it is never sparing of the resources that may be needed to

pursue a real good.

   

            Prodigality is simply a matter of wastefulness, oftentimes

of the thoughtless and selfish kind, as dramatized in that parable of

the prodigal son. (cfr. Lk 15,11-32) It is an irresponsible way of

using one’s resources, endowments and blessings that are made to

respond simply to one’s whims and caprices.

  

            To be able to distinguish between the two, we have to

develop the attitude, habit and skill of referring the use of things

to God. As to how to do it, some ideas that can help us are the

following:

  

-      To often ask ourselves what God wants us to do with our resources;

-      To consult the social teachings of the Church that can give us

clear ideas about how our attitude should be toward the material and

temporal things we have, like our business, etc.

-      To practice many works of mercy, both of the material and

spiritual kinds;

-      To take active initiative in carrying out ambitious projects

to help the poor, the marginalized, those in the peripheries, etc.

  

            It’s always good that whatever service we do for others,

we should be as generous as possible without spoiling them, and

whatever attention we give to ourselves, we should try to be as

sparing as possible without, of course, harming us or jeopardizing our

health, etc.

  

            Pertinent to this point, Christ said: “Give, and it will

be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed

down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of

measure it will be measured to you in return.” (Lk 6,38)

  

            In other words, the more we give, the more we actually

will receive. Christ promised as much when he said: “Everyone who has

left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or

children of fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much

and will inherit eternal life.” (Mt 19,29)

  

            In another occasion, Christ also said: “Whoever has will

be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have,

even what they have will be taken from them.” (Mt 13,12) It is clear

that Christ wants us to be generous and not sparing in our love for

God and service for the others.

  

            We have to be wary of the strong influence of today’s

temper that encourages everyone, especially the young ones, to be

self-centered and self-absorbed. It’s an evil spirit that tempts

people to be wasteful of what they have just to satisfy not their

needs but their wants, their whims and caprices. It’s a spirit that

traps them in the logic of the flesh and of the world.

  

            We have to find ways of how to overcome this predicament.

That is why Christ told us clearly that we practice self-denial and

all forms of sacrifice. These practices are not meant to demean or

debase us, but rather to free us from the many snares of the devil

that are thrown on us everyday, so we can affirm our true dignity as

children of God.

   

            We need to teach everyone to practice generosity while

avoiding prodigality. We have to learn how to be big-hearted in our

love for God and others, unafraid of the cost and effort that may be

involved.

   

            We also have to know how to combat prodigality that can

now trap us in very subtle if not strongly attractive and irresistible

ways. We have to learn how to deal with the waves of materialism,

commercialism, egoism, and all forms of addiction, that surely lead us

to be wasteful and prodigal of our resources, talents and endowments.