Open Handed Rotarians

Open handed Rotarians
by Jim Priest

Recently, I was visiting with a man who commented on something Jesus said in Mathew 26:11.  “The poor you will have with you always.”  The speaker told me “Jesus wasn’t suggesting the perpetual problem of poverty is hopeless and there’s nothing to be done about it.  Jesus was saying this is an issue that requires our constant attention and work.”

I agree.  And that’s the kind of thing Rotarians do both here, locally, and internationally.

Relevant magazine explains the broader context of Jesus’ message about poverty:

It just so happens that in saying “The poor you will always have with you,” Jesus was quoting another well-known Biblical phrase—from a well-known passage of the Jewish Torah. Everyone hearing him back then would have caught his drift.

Here’s the full original quote:

If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be … For the poor you will always have with you in the land. Therefore, I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ (Deuteronomy 15:7-11)

Open handedness is another way of saying “generosity” and Rotarians are open handed, generous people.  From its inception in 1917 the Rotary Foundation has been a major force supporting scholarships, health campaigns, and global initiatives demonstrating how the Foundation’s small first donation of $26 inspired lasting generosity.

Club 29 has lived with open hands not only through the Foundation but in funding local projects like the Rotary Red Barn at Restore OKC and the recent project at Ronald McDonald House.  Rotary also provides matching funds that go along with members’ contributions to their favorite charities.

But (sigh) the poor we will have with us always.  Sounds discouraging and defeatist doesn’t it?  Sometimes it seems our efforts, while good, are not enough.  While that’s true we cannot let discouragement keep us from continuing the work to eradicate poverty and suffering around us.  As the Apostle Paul reminded us, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity let us do good to all people.”

Whenever we see the word “Therefore” in Scripture we need to stop and ask, “What’s it there for?”  This time it reminds us weariness in doing good is a reality that may sometimes sag our shoulders, but, despite weariness, we need to keep on doing good to all people.  This persevering generosity happens through Rotary and it should also happen  through our individual lives.

Closed fists or wide open hands?  We get to choose.  Let us continue to do good and not grow weary.