Sharing of material resources in order to help the poor has always been a part of the Church's community spirit, as we see from the early attempts at communal life as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, both in the creation of the deacons to look after those who were somewhat marginalized, and the pooling of financial resources so as to possess all in common. It has not always been easy for the Church as an institution or for the individual Christian to decide on the wisest criteria for sharing. Paul seems to have faced a similar problem with the Corinthians and so, while urging them to "put the most into this work of mercy" he proposed to them as a general principle that giving relief to others should not put the donor into difficulties and suggests that it is a matter of balancing whatever is one's surplus. In speaking of the widow's mite, (Mk.12:41-44), Jesus teaches us to give even out of what one needs for oneself for it is a higher ideal. Paul suggests a balance between being generous and giving to the point where it might create other problems. A moden day proverb captures this situation well. 'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch a fish and you feed him for a life time.'