Originally published at National Catholic Register
Scripture and stories of the saints show, time and time again, that God loves a generous heart.
Scripture and stories of the saints show, time and time again, that God loves a generous heart. In 1 Kings 17, the widow uses the last of her flour and oil to make bread for Elijah, and she’s rewarded with an endless supply of both. In John 6, a boy gave his five loaves and two fish, which Jesus multiplied to feed a multitude, and there were 12 baskets of leftovers.
And then there’s St. Isidore the Farmer: While working long days in the fields, he would often give away most of his packed lunch, and, later, he would bring home hungry workers who had nothing to eat. His wife, Maria, knowing her husband was prone to doing this, would make extra soup to share. On at least one occasion, she was sure they were going to run out. Tradition holds that Isidore assured her there was plenty, and, miraculously, there was enough soup to feed all the guests.
We’re all called to be generous with the gifts God has given us. However, when money is tight and when there are so
