If we deeply love others, we, like Jesus, will tell them to "go and sell what you have and give to the poor" (Mk 10:21). This is not imposing a burden or putting a guilt trip on them, but rather is giving them the opportunity to have treasure in heaven where neither rust corrodes nor moth consumes (Mt 6:19).

Jesus says: "In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides" (Mk 4:24). When we ask others to give, we increase what they receive and more besides. Elijah met a widow and her son who were about to die of starvation (1 Kgs 17:12). He could have given them a little food to delay their death, but instead he saved their lives by telling the widow to give her last bit of food to him. When she did that, her flour and oil were multiplied more than five-hundred fold to feed herself, her son, and Elijah for a year. Let's love and feed the physically and spiritually poor not only by giving to them but also by asking them to give to the Lord's work.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July27, 2010

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