Do you believe in the value of diversity? Do you see this as a recent secular idea? It was my idea first. Look at the diversity of my creation. Do you see me as the one who loves you and your group? How convinced are you that my love extends to everyone in the same measure? It is true that I have a chosen people, but it was my intention from the first to use them as a basis for accepting and blessing all nations. Do you regard yourself as one of my chosen people now? Demonstrate this by taking up the same mandate. Can you express my love toward those who are entirely different from you?

Do you consider yourself to be risk-seeking or risk-averse? Most believers do not intentionally seek out risk, but it will come to you since you can’t avoid making decisions in the absence of certainty about future events. Trying to avoid all risk is the worst risk of all. Consider the parable of the talents. All of the servants who took chances with the Master’s money were commended. The one who was not was the one who hid the talent in the earth, even though he returned it intact. The question of risk-taking can be reframed as acting in faith.

Do you want to have more money? Do you think of wealth only in terms of money? Does wealth have other dimensions? What about human presence? Think of the most meaningful interactions you have had. They probably did not involve money, but they did involve a person who was fully alert, aware, engaged, and present with you. Have you found that such people are rare? Have you found that most people are only able to offer you presence that is diminished by being distracted, clouded, dark or indifferent in some way? You can’t blame them if this is all they have to give. They are poor.

Are you familiar with the idea of paying back? This is the expected transaction to complete the process of a loan. This is expected and mandatory. What about paying it forward? This is not as common and is an act of faith. If you are kind to strangers it is not the conclusion of a transaction but the beginning of one. Where will it end? You have no way of knowing, but do it in faith anyhow. Your acts of love and generosity will have effects and far-reaching influence more than you can imagine. Trust me to keep track of this. Someday I will show you how your good deeds played out.