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Gary G. Hoag
“As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15 "Liberality; she is of childlike...”— Hebrews 3:15
As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:15
"Liberality; she is of childlike simplicity, with no over-subtlety or hardheartedness with respect to human suffering. Together with Abstinence she withdraws herself from all harshness and takes the right path to God; for when Abstinence decides on a work, Liberality begins to carry it out."
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) in Scivias (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1990) 402.
Yesterday you learned that "self-denial is the prerequisite for generosity toward God and neighbor." Hildegard uses the term abstinence when encouraging self-denial. Notice that is a prerequisite for the right path.
In old English, it is common to translate generosity as liberality. It's the right path on the way of the Lord after you practice self-denial. Your deny yourself so you can act as Christ would have you act.
And you avoid hardheartedness and harshness. The people of God in the Old Testament rebelled frequently. Over and over they acted like they knew better. Is that you?
The remedy for hardheartedness and harshness is openhanded liberality with childlike simplicity. And God loves to see it. Will he see it from you?
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