And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
“Much caution is necessary, lest by much talk about faith, and much insistence on it without any distinctions or explanations, occasion be given to the people, whether before or after they have faith informed by charity, to become slothful and lazy in good works.”
Ignatius of Loyola in A Dictionary of Quotes from the Saints, ed. Paul Thigpen (Charlotte: TAN Books, 2001) 99.
Why exercise caution related to our faith?
We must match our talk with our walk. The Christian life is radically countercultural and generosity is the authentication of the all-in commitment that Jesus requires. Our words must match our actions. Too many people stop with proclamation and fail to exhibit demonstration.
What happens when our faith is not informed by charity?
We fail to sacrifice. When the going gets tough, like COVID times, our generosity can go into slothful and lazy mode instead of doubling down. Or we come across hard and legalistic. When that happens, there is no love and grace in the giving. There’s nothing Christian about it.
The world is watching. Give generously with charity. Under promise and over deliver!