NOTES for Sir 35:1-12
"With every gift have a cheerful face, and dedicate the tithe with gladness." The most obvious thing is that at times it is sad to give one's hard-earned money to even the most God-pleasing cause. This is understandable, but to speak quite honestly, few people donate to the Church or to charitable programs through clenched teeth. Usually we either give nothing or at least give calmly. So if we do not feel sorry to part with the money, is everything all right? I am afraid not. Because there are not only simple material sacrifices to the Lord, but also something more complex: renouncing one's own desires for His sake. And here the words from today's reading quoted above are especially important. If you really do not want to go to church, but you go, ask yourself: why do you not want to, and why are you going? If you really want to steal a pack of paper at work but do not do it, have you become offended at God, who with His commandments intrudes into your private affairs? If there is resentment toward Him, the deed done in His name loses its meaning. Only what we do for Him with joy is truly valuable.