Open-Handedness

What is a step you might take toward stretching your investment in your community?

Luke 6:33-34

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

My inclination, particularly in times of fear is to tighten and amass my resources, to self-protect. I trust people less, I am on guard for who will swindle me. I want to only give if I know how it will be repaid to me. I am working on self-regulating myself in my fear so that I can live with the open-handedness that I have experienced in communities of mutual aid and reciprocity.

I think of trans kids (and adults) right now and the communities that support them. What if they experienced such an abundance of adoration that they were surprised by the joy of affirmation?

Or the undocumented and immigrant communities around us, how do we not only protect and support their survival, but fully uphold their value and dignity?

How do you build a culture of open-handedness? What is a step you might take toward stretching your investment in your community?

– Theo Isoz