Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
“The other day, two friends of mine came to see me. They brought me a large amount of money to use for feeding the poor. I asked them, “Where did you get all this money.”
They answered, “We were married two days ago, but before that we had decided not to have a large wedding banquet. As a witness of our love for each other, we wanted to bring this money to Mother Teresa.”
This is the greatness of young people! They are so generous! I asked them further. “Why did you do this?” They answered, “We love each other so much and we wanted to share our love with other people, especially with those you are serving.”
Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 71-72.
The generosity of this young couple demonstrated a witness of their experience of God’s love in a radical way.
Many times, my wife, Jenni, and I, saw our kids do unthinkably generous things while growing up. We committed to not try to discourage their radical, countercultural living, giving, serving, and loving, but rather, throw gas on it.
How might you do something generous this Advent season that would reflect your Christian witness?
When the Apostle Paul wrote the church in Rome, he said to be devoted to each other in love, like this couple was devoted to Mother Teresa and the poor. And notice how the couple honored others above themselves.
This practice of honoring others above ourselves is an area for growth for all of us. God help us.