A weekly reflection from a m em berofthe Hastings clergy

A weekly re昀ection from a memeber of the Hastings clergy

Written by Pastor Paris Pasch of The Journey Church in Hastings

Becoming a contributor

Today we have plenty of people who are being trained by our culture to become recipients of what we have taught them that they deserve. This cultural policy is truly minimizing the value of becoming a contributor. Contributors are people who when they see a problem, begin immediately to develop a solution. The old adage that you can give a man a fish or you can teach him to fish is actually an adage the Bible supports. Training people to wait for the next fish to arrive in the mail, minimizes their amazing capacity to become a contributor. It stifles their creativity and their contribution to their fellow citizens. It sets them up to have expectations of entitlement and deservedness instead of self-sacrifice and generosity.

All of us need a little help on occasion, but we might do well to minimize the number of programs that create lifetime receivers and instead look for ways to help folks become amazing contributors. It’s important to note that contributions are not always measured in dollars. No person is too old or too young to practice contributing. Contributors are not constrained by race or by economic status. Contributors are not valued by their educational achievements. Contributions are seen as beneficial by all people groups. Contributors are essential in a healthy environment.

The Bible is full of instruction regarding benevolence and kindness to others, so we should in fact share with others, but we should also train our children to be contributors in all circumstances.

Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

This life is best when you become a contributor.