Christian Generosity

The most prominent attributes of God are love, mercy and generosity. Even though the world is filled with those who never acknowledge Him, He causes the rain to fall and the sun to shine upon all people. (Matt.5:45) More importantly, while we were yet sinners He sent His only begotten Son to die so that we might have eternal life which is the ultimate expression of generosity.

Since the attitude of generosity is something Jesus expressed so richly, we as His followers should strive to develop this trait to its fullest. Giving money to worthy charitable organizations is indeed commendable but money is not the only method of giving. We must first learn to recognize genuine need. While generosity is a good thing there's a difference between being generous and being foolish with what God has given us.

Jesus Christ gave so much of Himself from the beginning of His ministry to the end when He gave His all at Calvary. He taught people the importance of generosity and how it benefits the giver. Luke records one of such passages in his gospel. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Lk.6:38)

However, the context of this verse is about judgment and forgiveness. If we are generous in our judgment and forgiveness we will receive many times what we give. Of course, Jesus never actually gave money to anyone. That's not to say that giving money is wrong as there are a number of scriptures which speak to the contrary, especially when it comes to the ministry. In fact, God actually challenges us in this.

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts." (Mal.3:10-11)

Many of the Scriptures that address the benefits of giving refer to spiritual benefits in eternity. But there are a number of them such as the previous verse in Malachi which pertains to the here and now. Jesus told the disciples that they would be rewarded; not only in eternity, but in their lifetime and that they would receive several times what they had given.

"Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions- and in the age to come, eternal life."

The Apostle Paul was a very giving person and always emphasized the importance of giving generously. While he did accept gifts from some of the churches, he mostly served without payment. He was a tent maker and worked to not only support his own needs but others as well. (Gal. 2:10) But he continuously expressed to all of the churches the importance of giving and reminded them of the great benefits they would receive for their generosity.

He further pointed out that it is our duty as Christians to help support the physical needs of others as well as their spiritual needs. He emphasized the fact that when we find pleasure in giving, it becomes spiritual fruit and once it is delivered or accepted it is sealed or stored in heaven for us.

"For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit..." (Rom. 15:25-28)

Paul also taught that when we readily give to those in need it creates a balance where no one has to go without essential needs. Furthermore, our generosity is received in gladness which ascends to God in the form of gratitude which gives Him the glory.

The biblical aspect of giving focuses more on the attitude of the giver more than the gift. Those who give expecting something in return will not be rewarded. We are to give out of compassion for those in need, putting ourselves in their place and understanding their need. James said that when we know that someone has a need we are not to simply pray for them but rather, we are to react immediately.

"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" (Ja.2:15)

The fact is that everything belongs to God and He watches what we do with what He has given us. We shouldn't hand it out to sluggards and drunkards who refuse to work. Paul said, "Those who don't work don't eat." (2Thess.3:10) However, when we see a genuine need we should be eager to help, trusting God to bless us for it.

Anyone who has a problem developing a spirit of giving needs only to consider the words of Jesus when He said, "for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." (Matt.25:25-36) Therefore, when we help someone we should do it as unto the Lord.

Generosity, like any other Christian trait, needs to be developed. God loves a cheerful giver but as stewards we are to use common sense. Helping someone doesn't mean supporting them. But it is better to be a bit too generous than stingy. Those who are selfish and ignore the needs of others will surely suffer for it. "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." (Prov. 21:13)

We should never give reluctantly or stingily for God always blesses richly so we should do the same. It's always better to give a little more than not give enough. "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2Cor.9:6)

Money is usually the first thing that comes to mind when the subject of giving comes up but time is sometimes harder to give than money. In the fast paced world of today, time seems to be that which many of us have very little of. In many cases the most generous givers are those who give their time and efforts. It's easier to write out a check than to leave our home to lend a hand to someone in need.

Most of us have received the phone call from a desperate friend or family member who's stranded or in need of our presence and it always seems to happen at the most inconvenient time. The temptation to make excuses or try to push it off on someone else is very strong but the Lord often tests us in situations such as these. Besides, likely as not there will come a time when we will be the one in desperate need.

Therefore, we should always respond to the call for help as what goes around usually comes back around. Paul said that we are to work hard to help those in need and that giving always comes with a blessing. "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'." (Acts 20:35)

In conclusion, Christian character should always include generosity as it is one of the most outstanding attributes of God. But we should be careful that our generosity stems from the genuine desire to give and not the hope of getting something in return. Every gift that is presented as unto the Lord will surely be rewarded several times over.
Interesting Reading:

End Times

The Bible and the Future

End of the World