Devotion: Sharing Abundantly
Sharing Abundantly
Please take the time to read Luke 7:36-50
The phrase “Random Acts of Kindness” is credited to journalist Anne Herbert in an article published in 1982 and it sparked a grassroots movement that eventually resulted in a book, a Random Acts of Kindness Day–still celebrated in February–and the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.
This foundation is a small nonprofit that invests its resources into making kindness the norm. The organization follows a simple framework: inspire, empower, act, reflect, share.
These acts of kindness, often shared in social media, have taken on many forms from simple gestures to more elaborate endeavors.
Today’s scripture is an example of a larger proportion. We are told of an unnamed woman who sacrificed much of what she had to ask for forgiveness from Jesus. Simon responded in a self-righteous way thinking that Jesus should avoid her for her sinfulness.
Jesus responds to Simon with a parable of debtors’ debts forgiven. Jesus highlights the woman’s actions contrasting her genuine love, humility and gratitude with Simon’s lack thereof. Her actions teach us that when we comprehend the depth of God’s forgiveness, it compels us to love more and share more.
In the final sermon of the Starting Well worship series, Pastor Greg reminded us of Sheridan’s most challenging value, share abundantly. He inspired us to consider if we are a giver or a taker.
We are a blessed congregation with the capacity to share abundantly, even if it begins with simple random acts of kindness. Let us remember that our potential to share abundantly is a reflection of our understanding of God’s boundless love and forgiveness. May we pour out our most precious resources of time, talent, treasure and love to serve the Lord and those we encounter on our journey.
Dear God,
Help me to use my time, talents and treasures to love deeply, grow spiritually and share abundantly. May my life be a living testimony of your grace and help me to pour out kindness in this world.
Amen.
Written by Randy Hawthorne
Having a rivaled human network, Randy makes it his personal mission to connect those humans to their next big thing. Randy has decades of experience in the nonprofit industry, having served as a professional and volunteer in a variety of organizations.
He enjoys mentoring students and entrepreneurs, occasionally makes his way to a theater stage, geeks out on local history and goes on dining adventures.