With Christmas around the corner,
I was pondering gift giving and the meaning behind it. I wondered if my motive
for wanting to give gifts stemmed from a generous spirit or a desire to follow
the traditions of men. This led to thoughts about how I could be more generous
in general. I questioned: what is generosity anyway? How did I define it? I
prayed for clarity and found answers in the Bible.
What
is Generosity?
A manifestation of love towards
God and our neighbors* in the giving of one’s time, money or resources for the
benefit of another to the extent that one is able. A grace of God in the life
of the believer.
*To be extended especially
towards those of the faith, (a deeper brotherly love, knit together by God,)
though not exclusively towards those of the faith, but towards all men
including our enemies (a concern for the well-being of all, just as God extends
common grace to all.)
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to
everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians
6:10
But I say to you, Love
your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so
that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise
on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For
if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax
collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what
more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You
therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48
For I was
hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I
was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I
was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to
me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a
stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And
when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to
you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did
it to me. Matthew 25:35-40
The
greatest example of Generosity
God sending his only Son to take
our place on the cross. Jesus submitting himself to the Father’s will and
laying down his life for our sake. Regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and his
dwelling in believers. The Father’s continual care of his people, Christ’s
mediation on our behalf, and the Spirit’s leading in our sanctification. A work
by a holy Triune God to purchase and secure the salvation of a needy,
undeserving people.
As for me, I
am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my
deliverer; do not delay, O my God! Psalm
40:17
For you know the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though
he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might
become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead
dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to
your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans
8:11
What
generosity is not
Giving to earn favor with God.
Giving for the gratification of men’s recognition and/or a good feeling about
one’s self or giving for any reason other than a genuine love for God and our
neighbors.
If I give
away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I
gain nothing. 1 Corinthians
13: 3
Beware of practicing your
righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then
you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus,
when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do
in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.
Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. Matthew 6:1-2
How
to be generous
If led by the Spirit, you will be
generous. The Spirit will guide you
in how to use your resources and spiritual gifts to serve others.
But
whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is
perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says
he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he
walked. 1 John 2:5-6
And
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in
all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He
has distributed freely, he has given to the poor, his righteousness endures
forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and
multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You
will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us
will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11
Of course as fallen beings, there
is always room for improvement. In my case, after spending some time in prayer,
I discovered I had an unhealthy attachment to some things in my closet that
never are worn. I felt led to donate them to a local charity that offers free
clothing to those in need.
Some other things that came to
mind were:
- Share the Gospel
- Pray for others
- Show kindness
- Counsel others
- Provide a service for others
- Provide money or goods for those in need
- Be hospitable
Conclusion
To God be
the glory for his abounding grace in the life of believers allowing them to
show forth his love by generous works.
In all
things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak
and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more
blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
