Overflowing Joy and Generosity

The speaker in church today was very moving when he shared about the current world crisis. Not only has it affected a lot of businesses, it has affected a lot of people. People have lost jobs, lost businesses, have tight budgets and even have a harder time getting by (not that it wasn't difficult getting by in the first place)

What the speaker tried to drive though was that despite these times of severe trial and poverty, as Christians, we should stand out. How is that? By showing overflowing joy and generosity during these times. Indeed that is difficult. He cited 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 for his talk and it did touch me.

I hope I can live up to that. It's difficult to give when you have nothing to give and it's hard to be joyful in the midst of trial. The key he said was to commit everything to God. When you are holding on to nothing, then you have nothing to lose.

Giving During Christmas

I live near Redemptorist Church and believe me Christmas time is not exactly a good time of the year to live here. The church bell rings at 6am everyday and as Christmas slowly approaches, more and more beggars and mendicants crowd the church grounds - it's actually scary.

Anyway this makes me think, is it right then to give all these beggars gifts? There is an existing anti-mendicancy law but seems to me that these groups of beggars have become a ploy. It's sad really because I do feel for most of these people.

I decided to give to one of the local day cares here instead - Mother of Perpetual Help Daycare. Sometimes I give to the many that have positioned themselves on different sides of the street as you try to catch a jeepney ride, but somehow it just doesn't seem right anymore.

Jesus did say that when you give to the least of your brethren, you're doing so to Me and I do believe that and I do try to give as much as I can but right now in situations like these, I'm a little confused too.