Sharing the Bounty

"I'd like a half dozen," I told the man.

"Excellent!" he said and then proceeded to count them as he placed them in the bag.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, six and I never really liked this one.," he said as he filled the bag with corn.

I smiled, as he handed them to me and said, "That'll be $2.50."

I gave him three and said, "Keep the change." A very small gesture on my part.

He said, "You don't have to do that."

I replied, "Neither do you, my friend."

I wasn't surprised. You see he's been doing it for years.

I was at the farmers market on public square. It covers the entire square every Thursday until they run out of produce late in the fall.

I love going there or anywhere the local farmers sell their goods. I always believe that in order for my local community to be stronger, I must make every effort to buy locally. That means I go to the small hardware store just down the road or the small food store owned by local people.

Many of the large grocery store chains sell produce that not only comes from other states, but other countries. Not that I haven't purchased it, but when in season I try to buy locally.

That man is one of the reasons.

Now a few of the skeptics or should I say critics would suggest that I go to that man because he gives me extra. The idea of him sharing his bounty is diminished a bit because people take advantage of his generosity.

That may be true in some cases.

One might also say he isn't doing it out of the kindness of his heart, because he's "market savvy" and gets more business that way.

Those who see it either way also love to pop the balloons of dreamers and tell kids there isn't a Santa Claus.

I always tend to see the good in any act of kindness.

I love to watch others who, for the first time, discover his questionable mathematics abilities.

They are so happy and pleasantly surprised by his kindness. They smile and thank him for what he has done. They walk away feeling like there is hope for humanity. Perhaps they in turn, do something kind for someone else that day.

This farmer shares his harvest and I in turn share my bounty with a neighbor.

You see, Marianne and I really only need two ears of corn, I buy six, he gives me eight and I in turn give six away to family or my neighbors.

It's what we are called to do. Leviticus 19:9-10 9 "'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God."

There are many farmers there but no one else does this. It does not make them wrong or ungodly. I don't know in what other ways they share their bounty. They could tithe a portion of their income or they might give to area food banks. Judging them without full knowledge of how they give back, would be wrong.

But don't we do that everyday? Don't we get caught up in judging others without knowing the full story? Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Both of these principles appear in every major religion and yet, many of us ignore the truth.

Today I am asking you to look at all you have and find a way to share that bounty with someone.

If you have extra food give a portion to those who do not.

If you have a talent, a craft, a gift of bringing joy to others, do so today.

"But I have so little!" you might say.

In the little we have is a bounty so big in the eyes of those who have nothing at all.

"I wish you enough!"
J
~ Bob Perks ~

Good news - Bob Perks' first book, "I Wish You Enough," Embracing Life's Most Valuable Moments... is now available for ordering. Here's the "Link" to get your copy of Bob's book: I Wish You Enough from Amazon.com.

[ by: Bob Perks Copyright © 2011 (2believe@comcast.net) -- {used with permission} ]