Many people have helped me through difficult times in my life, either financially or by sowing the seeds of positive affirmation in my heart and soul. In whatever way they shared their bounty with me, the fruits of their generosity are visible in whom I have become, and whom I am still becoming as I live in that love. When generosity is done out of love and without reservation or recompense, the fruits of that generosity replicate for the greater glory of God.
Generosity and graciousness that stem from the deepest part of one’s heart is worth reflecting on: When have we reluctantly shared what we had but expected much more in return? When have we given to others for no other reason than to receive something in return—credit, recognition or praises? When have we given and expected nothing in return but received so much more? What has been your experience of giving, serving and emptying out without reservation?

Amen.

When it comes to giving, Jesus only mentioned one woman in Scripture, a poor widow to be specific, in Mark 12:41-44 and Luke 21:1-4, “Jesus sat down across from the place where people put their temple offerings. He watched the crowd putting their money into the offering boxes. Many rich people threw large amounts into them. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins. They were worth only a few pennies. Jesus asked His disciples to come to Him. He said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. That poor widow has put more...
Read more

My youngest daughter asked if we could help her boyfriend by lending him $10K to pay off his balance on his tuition account so he could graduate. Matt and I did agree to do that and privately we agreed we only give without interest even if he didn’t pay us back according to Scripture! We let him stay at our unoccupied mobile home for almost a year while he was looking for a job! We guided him into applying to the Air Force and became a bioengineer officer with the medical core! *** Our great return was our daughter finally...
Read more

Amen! Thank you Vivian.

Volunteering at St Vincent de Paul and at church the Lord has blessed me and I try to give back for that reason Amen Amen Amen

Giving can be small things. I put on my To Do list for this week to get cans of hearty soup for the neighborhood food pantries in our small town. And also clean out my clothes closet. Someone can use what I know that I will never wear again.

Vivian thank you for those words of strength to be all we can be. Blessings to all the LFF (Ohana), especially those with extra needs, CBR's depression ( I totally understand it.) Holy Spirit fill the hearts of all to guide us to a Heavenly Earth.

Amen Vivian , "Freely you have received, freely give" ——— ” In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom illustrates that helping others is a powerful way to overcome despair, even in dire circumstances.

time & patience

Share what you have, give what you can. We all travel a path, assisting others will make the path more level and easier to climb. Amen!

One of my favorite verses, Vivian. Luke 6:38 (NIV): “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2026 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
Matthew 19: 23-24 reads: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”