Now in case a countryman of yours becomes poor and his means with regard to you falter, then you are to sustain him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Leviticus 25:35
“Frugality is good, if liberality be joined with it. The first is leaving off superfluous expenses; the last bestowing them to the benefit of others that need. The first without the last begets covetousness; the last without the first begets prodigality. Both together make an excellent temper. Happy the place where that is found.”
William Penn (1644-1718) on “Liberality” in A Dictionary of Thoughts, edited by Tryon Edwards (Detroit: Dickerson, 1908) 299.
Penn was quite a guy. Among his accomplishments, he planned and developed the city of Philadelphia, founded the state of Pennsylvania, and set forth the frame of government that would become the inspiration for the United States Constitution. He knew as well as anyone, how people should behave toward one another.
As a founding father, Penn also understood the two components that contribute to abundant living: frugality and liberality. But don’t miss the danger of having one trait without the other. It leads to covetousness or prodigality (wasteful and excessive spending). Instead of sulking that people don’t care for fellow countrymen like they did in the days of Moses or Penn, let’s choose a lifestyle that is both frugal and generous.
Father in heaven, thanks for all your blessings. Help us remember that they are for us and for our countrymen and strangers who dwell with us. Forgive our covetousness and prodigality. Make us a people known for saying “no” to spending so we can say “yes” to sharing. Do this by your Holy Spirit we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.