Almsgiving: Using our time, talent, treasure

Near the beginning of each year, I like to invite readers to look back at how we have used our time. This is especially “timely” (pun intended) as we approach the season of Lent, with its commitment to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. One of the most common reasons for not praying is lack of time, while fasting could save us a little time. Almsgiving involves acts of charity, including giving of our time, talent, and treasure to help the poor and those in need. Thus, what did we do with our time the past 12 months, 365 days, or 8,760 hours?

Close to a third of it was spent working, and another third of it should have been spent sleeping. Rest allows us to be more productive and more charitable to others. Have you realized how much less we accomplish, how much less patient to others, and how much more irritable we are when tired? By making sure you get enough rest each night, you could actually be helping others and even making the world a better place!

A final third of our time is spent on everything else, and in the past I’ve shared how caring for ourselves and others leaves little true “free time.” A big consideration is our use of technology, particularly how much time we spent with our screens. This has changed somewhat as most Americans have moved more from watching television to using social media. While the overall amount of screen time continues to rise, there has been a growing concern from families and technologists in Silicon Valley who strictly limited their own children’s use of phones and tablets.

Since COVID-19 struck, I’m not sure what happened to limiting screen time. Our average daily screen use hit the roof, and it seems like any concerns about too much screen time were thrown out the window. Of course our children (and their parents) whose schools moved classes online didn’t have much choice in the matter. If we’re stuck at home isn’t it much easier to binge watch a television series, movies, or even the news? While it’s good to know what’s happening, is there a point when it becomes harmful? How much is too much?

How can we turn some of the challenges we face into blessings? Perhaps one example is our own tele-health services for counseling and other programs here at Catholic Charities North Dakota. Due to the difficulties of seeing people in hospitals, assisted living, or group homes last spring, we started seeing clients by phone and video. This has been well received, and some people prefer getting help from us in the comfort of their own homes. While many were established clients and so a relationship of trust had already been formed, we hope to continue offering this in the future to help serve more individuals and families who live in small towns far from our Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot offices.

This Lent I invite you to share your blessings with others. Even if it has been a tough year on you personally, consider the stories of those who gave what they could. One example is people who realized they didn’t need the COVID-19 relief payments they received, so they shared them with others. If these funds were an unexpected blessing, why not be generous in how we use them?

This Feb. 11 is Giving Hearts Day. We would love to have you start your Lenten almsgiving just a little earlier this year by supporting Catholic Charities North Dakota and other local nonprofits.