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GROWING
TOGETHER
To
aid us in bringing the proverbial rubber to meet
the road in our discussion on money I offer the
following two opportunities for praxis. —
RJF
Write
out a "money autobiography."
This
exercise originates with Elizabeth O'Connor and
is expanded in greater detail in her book, Letters
to Scattered Pilgrims. The idea is to write
a three-page autobiography which deals with the
subject of your life as it is related to money.
Give special attention to feelings and relationships
as well as reflecting on factual accounts. Below
are sample questions that may stimulate your thinking:
•
What was the role of money in your childhood?
What is the happiest memory in connection with
money? What is your unhappiest memory? Did you
worry about money?
•
What was your attitude toward money as a teenager?
Did your attitude or feelings shift as you grew
beyond the teen years?
•
How do you feel about your present financial status?
Will you inherit money? How do you feel about
that?
•
Are you generous or stingy with your money? Do
you feel guilty about the money you have? Do you
worry about money? Do you tend to be more on the
giving end of things, or on the receiving end?
•
If
you lacked money, how would you feel about others
helping you pay your rent, or treating you when
you went out and were not in a position to reciprocate?
•
How
do you feel about the giving of a tithe? Have
you made a will? Would you include some oppressed
segment of society or any needy persons in your
will?
Find a
person in genuine need, get to know this person,
and give to him or her.
This
could be a financially poor person, like someone
who is homeless. Or the need may be more emotional
or spiritual in character. Regardless, the important
first step is to get to know the person as a person.
It is good for us to give to organizations that
serve the poor, but sometimes that can keep us
from actually meeting a person in need. I am suggesting
that we bridge that chasm by actually meeting
face-to-face with another human being, a person
in need. When the time is right give to that person.
Give your listening presence. Give your emotional
energy. Give your money. It doesn't matter how
much money, just give some money. We will not
be able to deduct this kind of giving from our
income tax. Tax deductions are only a special
incentive our government provides in our society,
and it should never control or determine how and
where we give. And we do not need to overly concern
ourselves about whether our gift might be used
poorly. We simply give.
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