I gladly give my resources to fulfill God’s purposes.
"You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:11
The Mazatec Indians of southwestern Mexico believe that there is only so much good, so much knowledge, or so much love to go around. So, a craftsman doesn’t teach his trade because he’s afraid he’ll lose some of his skill. Parents are hesitant to have a second child out of fear of having to divide their limited love between two children. To say “Have a good day” is to give away some of your happiness.
The greatest challenge to generous living is that some people believe that they’ll have less if they give more away. However, the Bible teaches just the opposite.
One of the reasons that the Apostle Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians was to prepare the church for a collection that he would be requesting to help the Christians in Jerusalem who had fallen on hard times. Regarding their contribution, Paul emphasized that, though giving is a matter of personal conviction (9:7), God intends every Christian to practice charity. He names several reasons why generosity is so important.
First, generosity is a “good work” reflective of God at work in our lives (v. 8). In Ephesians 2:10, Paul wrote that Christians are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God intends to make his grace and kindness known in the world and these virtues often show themselves through the generosity of his people. When we give, we are reflecting our new nature as God’s people, and we join God in his plan to bless the world.
Second, our generosity will lead to gladness in God among others. As our giving overflows into the lives of our neighbors, their hearts will overflow in thanksgiving to God (vv. 11-12). Recipients of our kindness will be led to think about the One who provides “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17). In this way, every generous gesture is a like a signpost pointing to heaven. When you give, you communicate that God is good, more than you are.
Third, our generosity cultivates more for us to give away. As we give our time, our talents, or our treasure, God will “supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (v. 10). The more you give, the more God gives for you to give away. Paul states it plainly in v. 6: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
So, generosity benefits us, others, and the glory of God. But what is true generosity? If a man has $100 and gives away $1, is this a generous gift? How about $20 or $90? Or is the woman who lets her neighbor borrow her car more generous than the one who gives her neighbor a cup of flour? How can we measure true generosity?
The standard that applies no matter the size of a person’s resource or gift is the standard of faith. When we give an amount that requires us to trust God, that amount fits the definition of generosity. A single mother who can barely make ends meet is likely more generous when she gives $10 to help a friend than the couple who makes $150,000 and can give $500 without even thinking about it. God is not as concerned with the amount of the gift as he is the amount of faith required to give it. This is why Jesus commended the widow who gave two mites. It was not the amount of her offering but the extent of her sacrifice that mattered. Trust God in your giving and you will be truly generous. And, by being truly generous, you will lose nothing and gain everything in return.
PRAYER
Father, I thank you for your generosity in giving your Son to me. How extravagant is the gift of salvation! Lead me to greater faith as I express increasing generosity to people around me. I want to join you in your redemptive work and lead others to look to you as I express your grace through my giving. I believe that the more I give away, the more blessing I will experience from you. Amen.