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Great post. This made me think more deeply about something I've circled before.

Isn't it even a bit self-serving of the widow to assume she has done well by her soul, when she has barely helped anyone? jump to this passage

So, I recycle. It's fallen off recently, but I still ask myself every time I throw something away whether I'm discarding it correctly. If it's paper, I save it as fire starter; if it's a can or plastic, I check whether it can be recycled and clean it out for recycling; if it's a glass jar, I clean it and use it elsewhere. I have a separate bin I must empty and manage. The whole process is annoying, and I remain doubtful whether many of the things I recycle are actually processed appropriately and whether any of this has an effect on anything at all. Even if it did, it "would be a drop in the ocean."jump to this passage

So why do it?

Someone may be immediately tempted to ask me how recycling works and what concrete effects it has. They may ask all the right logical and rational questions possible to determine whether or not it has any use at all to society. I almost looked up specifics about recycling while making this reply but had to stop myself. My reasoning does not have to do with any of this. Further, I do not even consider the short-term conscience here. I consider it a discipline in the practice of being considerate in my own actions. With recycling, it is consideration of my consumption, which I think transfers far beyond the recycling itself.

I come from the belief that one's actions are not independent of each other. One happens before the other. Not being charitable today, even if just a few cents, could mean you are not charitable years down the line. It could mean that you are less forgiving overall.

Okay, so we could then ask why not just act rationally within your means? If you have extra resources, then be charitable. Otherwise, don't. That is a discipline in and of itself. And this can be fair. Though, I really wonder if it should be so easy.

I think the separation is whether or not you view charity as strictly a value for society or also a value for yourself. If the focus is on society, then it makes sense to only give if you are rich. Those are the only ones that really matter at that level. But, I think what Jesus is after is not an economically efficient society, but a society of deep human values. So, viewing charity as a value for yourself is a value to society in the long term.

I'll put it this way: would we rather have a world of a single charitable rich individual, or one in which a million others join, no matter their economic status?