God is Generous: "Give it to the people"

In 2 Kings 4:38-44, there is famine and scarcity in the land. Famine and scarcity lead in one direction -> despair, which is the ultimate collapse of being and overpowering helplessness. The answer to despair is to build a sense of normalcy, in whatever way possible. Despair is powerful because it is kept in the dark. People are uncomfortable with despair. It is depressing, and scary, and sometimes we treat despair like it is contagious. And so the depressed are sometimes isolated by friends and family alike, which is only exacerbated by the isolation caused by depression/despair. Indeed, despair leaves us in the most vulnerable place- alone.

To counteract despair, societies develop values within cultural framework. Some cultures develop rituals to deal with despair, and some cultures try to hide despair. Sadly, the culture of middle-class America is in the latter camp, and it is the culture in which I live and move and have my being. We compensate for despair by promoting safety and security. If you can afford it, your house can be isolated from your neighbors and their messes. You can install attached garages and door openers so that you can move successfully from your car to your home without the risk of talking to someone else. If you are in a hurry, you can check yourself out at Meijer so that you won't have to deal with the person behind the counter. We can sanitize almost anything, and we can find dozens of products to enhance our safety and security.

Here's the problem. Safety and security don't exist. They are perceptions, but nothing more. They are impossible dreams, illusions that break down to the harsh scrutiny of reality. Chasing the dream of being fully safe and fully secure is meaningless because it will never happen. Isaiah 55:1-3 says this:

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live."

"Why spend... your labor on what does not satisfy?" asks the prophet. In 2 Kings 4:38-44, Elisha offers one solution to the idol of safety and security: "Give it to the people." Generosity is a deep part of the Christian tradition, an act that reflects the creative and sustaining power of God. And so I would invite you to consider generosity as part of your spiritual life- being generous with our time, our money, our home and our energy.