Lovingkindness 3

           She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  (Proverbs 31:16-20)

            The Proverbs 31 woman is a capitalist involved in every level of business: buying, manufacturing, and selling. She makes sure that what she’s doing is profitable and she works hard. I’ve no doubt that she requires that her maidservants and children also work hard. She gets up before everyone (as we say before) and she stays up after dark to get things done.

            What does all of that have to do with lovingkindness? Aren’t capitalists greedy monsters? Well, no. Because result of all that capitalism and work is that she opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. She works for her own benefit, and the benefit of her family, without a doubt. But she also works for the benefit of other people. In fact, her work is what gives her the capacity to reach out to the needy as well as she does.

            I’m not suggesting that there aren’t capitalists who are greedy monsters. I’m saying it’s not wise to assume that all capitalists are alike or to fault capitalism for greed. There are greedy socialists, too – and many of the socialists who are in power are proof of that.

            No, the point is that someone who demonstrates lovingkindness must be a hard worker, and must be permitted to do with their profit as they see fit because otherwise, they can’t open their arms to the poor. In addition to providing for the poor, however, “opening her arms” suggest a personal connection. I’m going to suggest a few possibilities – but the list will be neither comprehensive nor complete (and may not be entirely correct)

            She responds to them. She doesn’t keep her arms folded across her chest and a frown on her face. She opens her arms and greets them in a culturally appropriate manner. I’m going to suggest that this involves some sort of physical contact: shaking hands, a half or full hug – and definitely a smile. The opening arm concept is one of welcome, so it likely involved at least a glass of water or a “tea.”

            But since she’s an entrepreneur, she’s not likely to treat each one the same. Handing out  a box of generic “help” might be kind, but it’s not lovingkindness. Lovingkindness requires the personal touch – not only personal because it meets the needy person’s specific needs, but personal because it comes from the woman and contains something that is “her touch,” even if that is just her physical touch.

            I’m not a physical touch person. I know how to shake hands and hug, and I’m comfortable in my capacity to do them, but that’s just not me. But I love the idea of that personal touch aspect – the little (or not so little) something that makes a thing “from me to you” and not “from the machine to you.” That’s the thing I like about writing. It’s not just the story, but it’s the things in the story that (if you find them) are messages from me to you. It’s the thing I like about learning to forage and make things from what I find or buy – the ability to give something to others that isn’t part of the commercial machinery of caring for the poor. You can get strawberry jam at any grocery store. I can give you a jar of strawberry-rhubarb, or strawberry-pineapple, strawberry-orange, or even strawberry-basil jam. Or a homemade bag, or bread. I’ll grant, they may not be the highest quality (I’m learning.)

            The personal touch aspect is one thing that turns kindness into lovingkindness. It requires being more involved in the needy person’s life than kindness does.  I don’t know what your personal touches are – but if you think you don’t have any, what could you do to help someone in need? Could you buy a five-gallon bucket and some dirt and plant a tomato plant? From it, could you feed your family fresh tomatoes, or teach them how to care for plants? Could you pick up the trash in your neighborhood? True, in this case, the needy person might not be specifically identified, but you’re still reaching out. Could you volunteer at a food bank or other charity? Could you take up a craft, even making things using PowerPoint to share on the internet to encourage others?

            Or let’s make it more personal. What can you do that will let you better care for those around you? Would It make things run more smoothly to make everyone’s lunch before you go to bed? Could you start up a cottage industry of some sort that lets you make some money with which you can help others? Can you put aside part of your income for that purpose? Do you have space in your freezer to put a casserole or two to give to someone who needs it (and, if no one does within a week or two, eat it and replace it with a fresh one?) If you don’t already have several possibilities in mind, pray about it. What can you do that either allows you to help others (funds your doing so) or provides that help? Is there anything you can do that makes it uniquely your gift to them? This is lovingkindness.