We’ve all
heard of (and likely practiced) regifting, giving something as a gift that someone
else gave you. Although the popular
conception of regifting is mixed, God whole heartedly endorses it.
He
repeatedly tells us that we are to use His gifts to us to bless others. Whether
that’s in the form of monetary alms or sharing material goods, scripture makes
it clear that God is all for regifting. Here are some of the verses.
As usual,
all scriptural quotes are from the New Jerusalem Bible, and the blue scriptural
cites are hyperlinks that will take you to other translations.
Of course, there will never cease to be poor people in the country, and that is why I
am giving you this command: Always be open handed with your brother, and with
anyone in your country who is in need and poor.
Set aside part of your goods for
almsgiving. Never turn your face from the poor and God will never turn his from
you. 8
Measure your alms by what you have; if you have much, give more; if you have
little, do not be afraid to give less in alms. 9 So doing, you
will lay up for yourself a great treasure for the day of necessity. 10
For almsgiving delivers from death and saves people from passing down to
darkness. 11
Almsgiving is a most effective offering for all those who do it in the presence
of the Most High.
Prayer with fasting and alms with
uprightness are better than riches with iniquity. Better to practice almsgiving
than to hoard up gold. 9 Almsgiving saves from death and purges
every kind of sin. Those who give alms have their fill of days.
Water puts out a blazing
fire, almsgiving expiates sins.
Stock your store-rooms with almsgiving;
this will save you from all misfortune. 13 Better than sturdy
shield or weighty spear, this will fight for you against the enemy.
When all the people asked
him, 'What must we do, then?' 11 he
answered, 'Anyone who has two tunics must share with the one who has none, and
anyone with something to eat must do the same.'
Sell your possessions and give to those
in need. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not
fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. 34
For wherever your treasure is, that is where your heart will be too.
If one of the brothers or one of the
sisters is in need of clothes and has not enough food to live on, 16
and one of you says to them, 'I wish you well; keep yourself warm and eat
plenty,' without giving them these bare necessities of life, then what good is that?
No comments:
Post a Comment