Weekly Franciscan reflections

Reflection for week of 22nd June, 2025

Becoming a steward who shares

Two weeks ago, we referred to the parable of the man whose harvest was more than he could store. The size of the harvest is certainly a blessing from God. However, the attitude of the farmer was troublesome. Rather than thinking about the good he could have done with all those crops, he was selfish and decided to build bigger barns to store it all for himself.

Contrast that with another story in Luke’s Gospel, when Jesus sees a poor widow placing her last few cents in the Temple treasury. Jesus tells His followers that she has given more than all the other people who were putting larger amounts in. Why? Because she was giving not from her surplus, but from her want. She trusted that God would take care of her since she was using the very limited blessings she had received to honor God and help others.

As we have been exploring this month, God makes us stewards of His many gifts. In the West, many of us have been greatly blessed with material and financial assets. This is not a bad thing, just as the abundant harvest is not a bad thing.

What we do with those things is most important.

There is an inspiring quotation that says, “God will not be outdone in generosity.” To share with others is a command of Jesus. And not simply to share what we have left over, but rather to share from our need, trusting that God will always provide.

This week, let us consider how sharing makes us good stewards. Whether it is material blessings, or our time, or our talents, we are called to share all our blessings with others.