Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“The only ones who are afraid are those who think they are alone, who trust in themselves and have no loving charity. They are afraid of every little thing because they are alone, deprived of me.”
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) in The Dialogue (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1980) 227.
Two nights ago Jenni and I had dinner at our first-choice for a date-night restaurant: Chili’s. We always share chips and salsa and the quesadilla explosion salad. Our favorite server seated us: Cat.
We did not even have to order. She said, “The usual?” We replied, “Yes!” She looked burdened. I said to my wife, “I want to invite her to church with us.” We did and gave her a card we got at church with the time and location. She looked stunned and surprised to be invited. She said she may come if not working.
Why tell this story? The one thing all people need is God. Trusting in Him frees us from fear and positions us to be generous at all times because when we have Him, we are never alone and we have everything we need.
It’s sad that many who know God still have fear and fail to be generous because their actions show they are trusting in money for security. That’s where Lent comes in. In this season we unlearn our worldly ways.
Giving to those in need is one of the three things we will ask God to help us learn to do. Those who don’t know Jesus are the neediest of all. Who do you know that you could invite to church and introduce to Jesus?
Dear God, move Cat to come to church to sit with us today and come to know You.