Devotional - March 4, 2011

The full Rice & Beans Month devotional booklet "Shared Elements" is available for download here

Deuteronomy 15:10-11
“Give generously to them and do so without a grudging
heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless
you in all your work and in everything you put your
hand to. There will always be poor people in the land.
Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward
your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your
land.” (NIV)

Reflection
Poverty has always existed and is found wherever a poor majority lives next to a rich minority, the case in most countries of the world. Poverty is a condition in which people lack the basic necessities for a decent life, such as food, clothing and shelter. We have not been requested but are being commanded by God to give generously, a command which should be rooted in a heartfelt response to God's generosity to us. We should model our generosity on that of the heavenly Father who promises to provide our daily bread. The encouraging thing about this passage is that the Lord will not forsake us in the work we put our hands to, but he will surely bless the work of our hands. Today let us not be corrupted with selfish motives; let us be guided by generosity and solidarity, great virtues that will build a better world.

- Edwin Angote, Lahash East Africa Director

For Kids
Do you remember the last time your parents told you to share? Maybe
your brother wanted to play with your toy, or maybe your friend wanted
part of your snack. Sometimes sharing doesn't seem fair. It can make us
feel angry when we want to keep special things for ourselves. But it is
important to practice sharing. God tells us that there will always be people
around us who need food or clothes. In fact, God says that we should
share generously. That means we should give the bigger and better parts to
other people. This month, because we are eating rice and beans, we are sharing the
extra money we would normally spend on food. When we share
generously, we are showing other people the love that God has for us.
What are other ways that you can practice sharing generously today?