GENEROSITY

"Omni enim cui multum datum est, multum quaeretur ab eo, et cui commendaverunt multum, plus petent ab eo." "But of everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and of him to whom they have entrusted much, they will demand more." (Lk 12:48)

"Gratis accepistis, gratis date." "Freely you have received, freely give." (Mt 10:8)

"Ecce sto ad ostium et pulso." "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." (Apoc 3:20)

"From lack of generosity to lukewarmness, there is just a single step." (St Josemaria, Furrow, 10)

"My God, you have given me all; behold the little I give you. Give me the strength to give more." (St John Mary Vianney)

"Et...relictis omnibus, secuti sunt illum." "And ...they left everything and followed Him." (Lk 5:11)

"Amen dico vobis: Vidua haec pauper plus omnibus misit, qui miserunt in gazophylacium: omnes enim ex eo, quod abundabat illis, miserunt; haec vero de penuria sua omnia, quae habuit, misit, totum victum suum." "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living." (Mk 12:43-44)

"The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (II Cor 8:6-7)

"You ask, 'what are my expectations of young people?' In Crossing the Threshold of Hope I have written that 'the fundamental problem of youth is profoundly personal. Young people...know that their life has meaning to the extent that it becomes a free gift for others.' A question therefore is directed to each one of you personally: are you capable of giving yourself, your time, your energies, your talents, for the good of others? Are you capable of love?" (John Paul II, Discourse to the Youth, Manila, 24 January 1995)

"My Father ... who art in heaven, look upon me with compassionate love, and make me respond to Thy love.
"Melt and enkindle my hardened heart, burn and purify my unmortified flesh, fill my mind with supernatural light, make my tongue proclaim the love and glory of Christ." (St Josemaria, The Forge, 3)

"...Let me not deny you anything you ask of me.
Let me know how to pray.
Let me know how to suffer.
Let me not worry about anything except your glory...." (St Josemaria, The Forge, 122)

"My time is God's time, and God's time is for all souls." (Leo Trese, Vessel of Clay)

"We have to learn how to give ourselves, to burn before God like the light placed on a lampstand to give light to those who walk in darkness; like the sanctuary lamps that burn by the altar, giving off light till their last drop is consumed." (St Josemaria, The Forge, 44)

"Glorify [Pay] the Lord generously, and do not stint [grudge Him] the first fruits of your hands. With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness. Give to the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found. For the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you sevenfold." (Ecclus/Sir 35:10-13)

"For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I count them as dung that I may gain Christ." (Phil 3:9)

"Self-giving is the first step along the road of sacrifice, joy, love, union with God. And thus, a whole life is filled with a holy madness which makes us encounter happiness where human logic would only see denial, suffering, pain." (St Josemaria, Furrow, 2)

"It is the Lord I claim for my prize." (Ps 16[15]:5)