Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4
“The more seriously we live out our faith, the clearer the call to be generous and to live lives that inspire generosity. No one is excused from the responsibility and invitation to be generous and others-centered.”
Kerry Alys Robinson in Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy, and a Spiritual Call to Service (Collegeville: OSB, 2014) 15.
I had the privilege of hearing Kerry speak at the conference at which I am teaching and attending workshops in Pittsburgh. Her enthusiasm was contagious so I can’t wait to read her whole book. This statement from the opening pages gripped me: “No one is excused…”
It reminds me of the zeal of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians (above). We are redeemed to live generous lives and inspire others to join us, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and “no one is excused” from this calling.