You've got to give a little

Luke 19:11-28

           Youv'e got to give a little...

          They were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.” But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading.  The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.” He said to him, “Well done, good slave! As Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made five pounds.” He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.” He said to the bystanders, “Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.” (And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten pounds!”) “I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.” ’

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

         There is a great deal of imagery here that, as I said yesterday, is written with familiar scenes so that the audience will be more receptive to the message. Today, as yesterday, the message is about giving and perhaps more.

          What we do with our time, talent and treasure, those gifts entrusted to us by God, is surely our own business. We are accountable only to God. But it is clear that we are to use what we have been given for the benefit of all. 

          This reading leads me to believe that we are responsible to share in proportion to what we have been given. You will find biblical references to a figure of 10% , which is where the term tithing comes from. The writer of this passage would be very pleased I think with a pastor I once had. He was very good with money. He knew that most Catholics are more prone to 'dollaring' than to actually making a plan or budgeting money for the church. Dollaring is the practice of simply reaching in your pocket and pulling out a dollar or some loose change.  The pastor was also wise enough to know that the concept of tithing or giving 10% would also not fly far with the congregation. He devised a once a year 'mission' to explain finances to the parishioners and ask them to simply consider giving 5%. If not 5%, strive for five and at least make a plan and budget an amount instead of dollaring. The pastors told the people that he knew they all gave to other causes and so he would consider their other donations as the other 5% that God says we should give, and he freely quotes all the sections of scripture that say we should be doing so. Needless to say the money poured in. Any budgeted amount would be greater than dollaring and indeed there were some who actually did give 5% which was really great. Our parish had a spectacular outreach program to the poor , the jobless, the elderly and we had no mortgages and money in the bank. It is a beautiful community to this day even though that founding pastor has gone to his eternal reward.

             What does this have to do with the reading? We all have to give something and we all can. The wealthy should give more because they can afford to, it's proportional. The poor can give in proportion to what they have been given. That may simply be some time volunteering but ALL can give something. No one is released from the Biblical mandate to give from what they have been gifted with.

             While the imagery may be harsh, the 'truth' to this passage is that we will be held accountable for what we share with our brothers and sisters.