Sharing Is Caring
When you meet together, you are not really interested in the Lord’s Supper. For some of you hurry to eat your own meal without sharing with others. As a result, some go hungry while others get drunk. What? Don’t you have your own homes for eating and drinking? Or do you really want to disgrace God’s church and shame the poor? What am I supposed to say? Do you want me to praise you? Well, I certainly will not praise you for this! 1 Corinthians 11:20-22
One of my very first memories growing up was my uncle and me playing with toy trucks. We were in the kitchen while my grandmother was making us lunch, I assume. I do not remember why we were playing with them or what prompted my memory of that moment, but we have been connected since that moment for life really. We spent the night over each other’s house, and the best times from my childhood seemingly involved time spent with him. As we got older, we were best men for each other’s wedding. That would be nearly 25 years later. It is as if that moment in the kitchen was a precursor to our being connected for life. That single moment was punctuated by the fact we shared playing with those trucks. I do not ever remember my mother telling me to share my stuff with other children although knowing her, I’m certain it had to have come up. But I do not ever recall not sharing things with other children.
We are taught as children to share things. Yet as we grow older, we sometimes lose that spirit. Yes, there are some things we should not share, but I can never recall a meal as one of those things. In fact, one of my favorite things is to make something in such a large quantity that is far too much for our family so that we can share it with others. It is not to be deliberately wasteful. However, it offers others a chance to enjoy some chili or jambalaya. There is something to be said about sharing food. It means others matter as much as yourself.
God meant for us to share. Paul’s comments are a strong statement about the behavior of some Corinthians who were not disciplined enough to wait to eat before others. It’s like the children who take more than one biscuit before everyone has had a chance to grab one. While it is clear to point out the issue of being unwilling to share with others, there was another area of great concern: gluttony. The questions Paul asked were about those who have versus those who have not. Why would those who easily have means not only pursue to fill of themselves publicly but also do so even before others who do not? Thus, today’s verses are about being principled about not just sharing but also caring for the least of these. This harkens back to the teaching of Jesus as He told of The Final Judgment saying:
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” – Matthew 25:37-40
One final point here. In many cases we would not know if someone has means or not, but we do know our own circumstances. As such, we should be more concerned with about sharing and less on whether others have a need or not.
God provides for us in so many ways. Being a servant of Christ means we both know this and act to share of those things He has given with others. Our goal is not to focus solely on who is the most or least needing. It is to share with all for Paul also said, “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” (Hebrews 13:16) Let us be purposeful in sharing that which God has so graciously given us. What can you do to share more with others? How can you show greater restraint knowing the provisions God has given you? My prayer is we trust God in understanding the simple concept that sharing is caring. Amen.