How’s My Bologna — Thick or Thin?
On a recent Wednesday, the ladies in our Ladies Bible Class meandered into one story after another about how life was when they were girls. I took speedy notes, not wanting to miss a’ one of ’em. Miss Sue said that when she was a girl, she and other children stopped at a country store for bologna and crackers. They always wanted to get in line when the Mr. of the establishment was doing the slicing, because his slices were nice and thick. Not so when the Mrs. cut them. She cut them thin.
I can think of two possible reasons behind the way the Mrs. cut bologna. Maybe she preferred thin slices and believed the children would also. On the other hand, she might have been pinching pennies. One thing I know for sure. I hope all the children in my life and the adults, too, see me as someone who always cuts the slices thick, because that seems the generous way to do it.
Generosity is on our minds especially during Christmas time. God gave Moses instructions about generosity in the Law of Moses. He instructed the Israelites to be generous to the poor. He told them what kind of hearts to have when they were giving to the poor. He also gave them a promise if they obeyed.
You shall generously give to him,
and your heart shall not be grieved
when you give to him,
because for this thing
the Lord your God will bless you
in all your work
and in all your undertakings.
Deuteronomy 15:10
Jesus repeated that promise while He was here among us. Generosity is at root a matter of faith. We don’t have to hold on tight to everything we have because we know our Father in Heaven will supply everything we need.
Give, and it will be given to you.
They will pour into your lap a good measure—
pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
For by your standard of measure
it will be measured to you in return.
Luke 6:38