Going to the Margins of the Church
Those who are marginal in the world are central in the Church, and that is how it is supposed to be! Thus, we are called as members of the Church to keep going to the margins of our society. The homeless, the starving, parentless children, people with AIDS, our emotionally disturbed brothers and sisters—they require our first attention. We can trust that when we reach out with all our energy to the margins of our society, we will discover that petty disagreements, fruitless debates, and paralyzing rivalries will recede and gradually vanish.
The church will always be renewed when our attention shifts from ourselves to those who need our care. The blessing of Jesus always comes to us through the poor. The most remarkable experience of those who work with the poor is that, in the end, the poor give more than they receive. They give food to us.
—Henry Nouwen,
Bread for the Journey
In Acts 20:35, Paul recalls the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This simple yet profound truth turns the world’s values upside down. Our culture often tells us that happiness is found in accumulating more—more wealth, more comfort, more recognition. But Jesus offers a better way: the joy that comes from generosity. When we give—our time, our resources, our love—we reflect the heart of God, who gave everything for us. Giving shifts our focus outward, frees us from self-centeredness, and opens our lives to the deep, soul-level blessing of being part of someone else’s joy. The blessing in giving isn’t just in the impact we make—it’s also in what God does within us through it. Generosity softens our hearts, strengthens our faith, and roots us in eternal values. It reminds us that our lives are not measured by what we keep, but by how we love. In every act of giving, no matter how small, we participate in God’s kingdom economy where grace flows freely, and joy multiplies. So today, look for a way to give—because in giving, we discover the kind of blessing that truly satisfies. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics