This morning, I left zucchini and cucumbers near the entrance to church prior to the 10 a.m. service. It is late August and zucchini season – but at TLC, we believe in “proper form” for the gift economy. You do not need to lock your car doors, fearing an unwanted gift left on your front seat! We provide; you choose!
The TLC ladies in the photo were part of the TLC Fishinistas – a celebration and training for the projected record run of pink (humpback) salmon — and sharing its bounty. We are now approaching the mid-point of the salmon season on Whidbey. Have you enjoyed the gift economy, either as a giver or a receiver?
But what is the gift economy in contrast to the market economy? The all-knowing internet states that “a gift economy changes goods and services for relationships, not money, with the goal of strengthening social bonds and collective well-being, whereas a market economy uses money as a currency to exchange goods and services based on individual self-interest, profit, and individual acquisition of wealth. Key differences include their fundamental motivations (social connection versus profit), the nature of exchange (generalized reciprocity versus quid pro quo), their core values (community versus individual gain), and their currency (social currency versus financial currency).” In short, the market economy is based primarily on personal gain and accumulation, not on sharing and justice.
Here again it may be wise to consider the wisdom of tribal people. Robin Wall Kimmerer catches the difference well in her book The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World. Her Haudenosaunee neighbors have a “culture of gratitude” for earthly gifts. “Failure to show gratitude dishonors the gift and brings serious consequences”. She goes on to say that “recognizing ‘enoughness’ is a radical act in an economy [the market economy] that is always urging us to consume more”. The practice of gratitude prevents hyperconsumption.
Gifts come in many forms. The air we breathe, and the water Creation provides are gifts. A fresh salmon or zucchini left for your enjoyment at TLC are also gifts. If our first response to receiving a gift is gratitude, then reciprocity should be our second response. It is easy and natural to reciprocate when we receive a zucchini – even when the gift was left out of abundance and no reciprocal gift was expected or even wanted! But what about our clean air and our clean water? Here reciprocity takes the form of our loving care of Creation that provides the air and water we need
As we enjoy the waning days of summer, may we ever be grateful for our gift of life on “The Rock” and our ability to share its goods and services. One day at a time as our abundance is freely shared!
Our Prayer: Lord, we take so much for granted. Help me to share freely the abundant life that I have with others who could benefit from my over abundance. Amen.
Thanks for caring!
— Joe Sheldon
Direct comments to Joe Sheldon at jksheldon43@gmail.com
