Have you ever known someone who was truly generous? They seem to be the happiest people in the world. Most would think the most generous people would be people with an abundance of money and things. Some would say they can afford to be generous, but I cannot. Contrary to popular belief the most generous people I have known were those who didn’t have much by the world’s standard.
Growing up we always had all of our needs met. I thought we were doing ok. We never went to the table when there was not enough to eat for everyone. Our bills were paid, and it seemed that everything was perfect with the world. The truth? We were very poor.
Until i was age 5, we lived in an old house that had 4 rooms, with no running water, and of course, no bathroom. We had plenty of food because we grew it. My father had just finished his degree in education and started a job as a teacher in a small town nearby. We had one car, no phone, and heated our house with fireplaces in each room. The house was part of an old mining camp that my grandfather had bought with the money my dad sent to him from Korea while he was in the military.
While there was very little money, there was lots of generosity. I remember my dad bringing home people that needed a meal. People no one else would show kindness to. All of Dad’s life, he seemed to be drawn to those who needed help. Slowly my parents saved enough to build us a nice home with modern conveniences, but that never changed my dad’s heart for giving. Until the day he died, he was thinking of others and meeting needs.
We all are to be generous. The Bible has much to say about the generosity we show to others, and how God views our generosity.
We are to give sufficiently to the needs of others. Especially the poor. Proverbs 21:13 talks about the person who determines he will not listen to those who are poor and in need. He turns away and ignores them. Much like the story of the good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10. Two of those who were able to help him deliberately ignored him and walked to the other side of the street. The person who treats the poor in this manner will one day have needs and he will not be heard. In other words, God allows him to reap what he sowed!
Proverbs 21:13 “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”
Hebrews 13:16 instructs us to “communicate,” the Greek word means having in common with others. The meaning is that they were to give liberally to those who are in need. Because we are prone to think of our interests, he cautions them to not forget this command. The writer goes a step further to tell us this is an action on our part that pleases God. The “well pleased” means he is especially pleased when we take care of the needs of others. It is an act of selflessness, not selfishness. It is also when we are most like Jesus.
Hebrews 13:16 “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
In Galatians, we are not to get weary in well doing. Paul is aware of the many needs of others. Some may be ungrateful and cause us to second guess our service, or stop doing for others, but here, he reminds them in time we will reap if we persevere. A good verse to keep me going is Colossians 3:23. It reminds me that I am doing my service for the Lord, and to the Lord, others just happen to get the benefit! All that we do is to be done for his glory and as a service to Him alone. Keeping this attitude will propel you to do more, and give you a joy that no gratitude on this earth could ever match.
Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
Another aspect of generosity is God’s promises for those who obey it. He promises that a generous person who helps the poor will be blessed. This person will persevere, it does not mean he will never die, but that he will gain special favor or divine aid from God. His death will be easier than that of the selfish person.
As I was studying this passage I had an “ah-ha” moment. I remember my Dad as he was approaching death. The doctor had told us that his last couple of months would be very painful and he would be heavily sedated. This was in September, and it was suggested that by Christmas he would not be able to enjoy company. With that in mind, we begin to plan Thanksgiving as a time to come together instead of Christmas. Here was my ah-ha moment! He did not die until April 28th, and up until the last week did not have severe pain. He was only on the morphine for the last two days of his life. I believe my dad was receiving a blessing while dying because of the generous life he lived.
Psalm 41:1-3 “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.”
Will you seek to be a generous person in the coming year? Get out of your comfort zone and look to the needs of others. You may need to be generous with your time. Many people are lonely and would love to just sit and talk, and know that someone cares. It may be physical help that is needed, yard work, housework, or even running errands. It may be a frazzled mom that needs a break. It may involve your money, but whatever the need do your best to meet it. You will be the one who gains the most from a heart of generosity!
Excellent