Declare independence

Every year, on July 4, citizens of the United States celebrate Independence Day. On this day, the nation remembers and celebrates the Declaration of Independence, written in 1776 and prosecuted through the Revolutionary War. The Declaration of Independence was a national proclamation. However, through giving, people have an opportunity to declare independence individually. We rarely think of this aspect of giving, but it is real and genuinely affects a person's life. So, how does giving our resources produce independence in our lives? Let's look first at the word independence:

Independence is the state of being independent or being free from outside control.

Independence, in the context of our country, signifies freedom from the control of another nation. Free to will and to act independently of the actions and dictates of those outside our country. In the context of generosity, independence is being free from the control of that which we are willing to give. When we have possessions, be it money, property, or material resources, those possessions either have a hold of us or we have a hold of them. In other words, if we choose to allow the things we have to dictate how we live our lives, we are choosing to be mastered by those things.

Independence, in the context of our country, signifies freedom from the control of another nation. Free to will and to act independently of the actions and dictates of those outside our country. In the context of generosity, independence is being free from the control of that which we are willing to give. When we have possessions, be it money, property, or material resources, those possessions either have a hold of us or we have a hold of them. In other words, if we choose to allow the things we have to dictate how we live our lives, we are choosing to be mastered by those things.

Matthew's gospel sheds some light on this subject by testifying to Jesus' words, "Man cannot serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money." (Matthew 6:24). Jesus' statement indicates that we have a limited choice in what or who we will serve. We can serve one or the other. We can serve neither. But we cannot serve both. God cares about our welfare. Money and the possessions we purchase with it are nothing more than objects that have no concern about us. Therefore, the healthier choice is to serve the first and not dedicate our lives to serving the latter. So, how can we know that we are independent from the mastery of money? The best, most complete way to know that your money isn't ruling over you is to give it away. Anything you are willing and able to give up is not a master. It is simply a resource. Giving our resources shows that we are free from the control of our belongings.

Declare Independence today by giving your Mite. There may not be a parade or fireworks. But there will indeed be a celebration!