Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
It was said of Abba Paphnutius that he did not readily drink wine. One day he found himself on the road facing a band of robbers who were drinking wine. The captain of the band was acquainted with him and knew that he did not drink wine. Seeing how weary he was, he filled him a cup of wine and holding his sword in his hand he said to him, ‘If you do not drink this, I will kill you.’ So the old man, knowing that he was fulfilling the commandment of God and in order to win the confidence of the robber, took the cup and drank it. Then the captain asked his forgiveness, saying, ‘Forgive me, abba, for I have made you unhappy.’ But the old man said, ‘I believe that, thanks to this cup, God will have mercy on you now and in the age to come.’ Then the robber captain said, ‘Have confidence in God that from now on I shall not harm anyone.’ So the old man converted the whole band by giving up his own will for the Lord’s sake.
Abba Paphnutius, 4th century Egyptian Anchorite influenced by Anthony the Great, in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1975) 202.
In the Greek translation of today’s Scripture we find the most common NT word linked to generosity and sharing, koinōnia. Interestingly, the apostle Paul says that the reason he aims to be all things to all people is to be positioned to “share” or literally “enjoy and distribute” its blessings.
We are living in interesting times where everyone wants their way as part of angry mobs, much like the robbers on the road in the 4th century. What Abba Paphnutius does in this moment is the quick witted and brilliant. He gives up his own will for the Lord’s sake. In so doing he saves them all.
What if that was our expression of generosity today? Giving up our own will for the Lord’s sake. The closer I am getting to Jesus, the more I am realizing how deeply broken I am and how my flesh clings to my selfish will. Perhaps the lesson for generosity to day is simply to let it go, our will that is.
God help us all do this with the desert fathers. Thy will be done.