By Garland Land  
Blue Springs, Missouri, USA 

When my mother passed away, we went through her papers and found a little black book. My mother was very generous, giving money to acquaintances, friends, and family members in need.  

She recorded in her little black book the amount she gave to each person and the purpose of the gift. Sometimes it was to help a person go to college, to start a new business, or to help with their bills. She didn’t indicate if it was a gift or a loan. I was surprised to see the number of entries and the large amounts she gave to some people. 

Our family was not wealthy. My dad was a barber, and my mother was a nurse. She worked two full-time jobs later in life. I think it was partly so she could be generous to others. 

I am trying to learn the importance of financial generosity that my parents showed through their actions.

At her funeral, I was hoping some people she helped would come to me and express their appreciation for how she had helped them in their time of need. None expressed their appreciation in that manner. In fact, some people that I knew she had helped didn’t attend her funeral. I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt about why they did not express appreciation for the gift they received or attend the funeral. This reminds me of when Jesus healed the ten lepers, and only one, a Samaritan, came back to thank him. 

Maybe because of that experience or because I believe in the importance of the ministry of presence, my wife and I make it a practice to attend most celebrations of life where we have a relationship with the family. Most of the time we do not know the deceased, but we have some connection with the family. Usually, we find these experiences uplifting as family members express their appreciation for their loved one. 

I am trying to learn the importance of financial generosity that my parents showed through their actions. I am also trying to understand the importance of generosity of time and presence we can share with others. 

Amen.