As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
“People who do nothing other than be in love are perhaps more serious and holier than those who sacrifice their love and their heart to an idea.”
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in Life According to Vincent, edited by Nienke Bakker and Ann Blokland (Van Gogh Museum) 167.
As I pondered this quote, it made me ponder afresh about how I approach my calling to dedicate my life to encouraging Christian generosity.
It teaches me that if I focus on generosity, I am focusing on a fruit rather than the root. What is the root of all generosity but a love relationship with God!
Only when we contemplate His unfathomable love and care for us, can we even start to extend such gracious and bountiful kindness toward others.
On this note, I pause to honor my wife, Jenni. Her primary focus every single day, every minute of every day is her love relationship with God.
She’s always encouraging me (and those she serves as a spiritual director) to notice God at work every moment of every day around her. As a result, she’s “more serious and holier” than me.
Like Mary focused on Jesus vs. Martha on all that had to be done and Jesus, let us keep Christ at the center of our focus if we want to grow in generosity or any other areas of life.