Generosity: Learning To Give

The Lord tells us to share generously with those in need, and good things will come to us in turn. Each of us has something to offer to someone in need. We can give our money and our time to charity, be a friend to someone who is sick or lonely, do volunteer work or choose a service-oriented occupation. We may give unselfishly of our time to our spouse, children or parents.

This does not mean we are obligated to share our time or money with people who are clearly not in need but just want to use or abuse us.
Apostle Paul reminds us that there is a correlation between the amount you give and the blessing you receive. This is true in all things. The more you are involved in a project or an event, the greater your sense of satisfaction when the project or event goes well. The more involved you are in your community, the greater the sense of ownership and blessing you will receive. The more you do in the remodeling project the greater the satisfaction you will feel when the project is finished.

Paul points out that the attitude with which you give is essential; "For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you."

Paul reminds us of some important truths.  First, God is the one who provides what we have. When we give, we are not giving God what is ours . . . we are giving Him what He has entrusted to us. We don’t truly own anything (in many cases the stuff we possess often owns us). When we die we leave it ALL behind.
Everything we have is only on loan to us from God. Yes, you may have worked hard and worked your way up the ladder, but God is the one who has blessed you. He has kept you healthy. He has put you in the position to succeed. He has entrusted these things to us and we should handle them with respect.

We forget this very easily. Have you ever found yourself justifying some extravagance by saying, “Oh, it’s only money!”?

Do you remember the story that Jesus tells about three men who each were given some money? They were given different amounts and they were to use it to bring a return for the owner. The first guy doubled the amount he was given. So did the second. The third guy simply returned what he had been given. Do you remember what happened next? We are told the man who did nothing with what he was given had what he had been given taken from him and it was given to the man who had much. Why? Jesus said, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away” (Matthew 25:29)

When we develop a spirit of generosity the Lord is eager to help us be more generous. He will provide more opportunities and more resources to meet those opportunities. He does not give us more to make us more comfortable or more indulgent. He does not give us more so that we can look more spiritual. He gives us more because He knows He can trust us to use what He gives us to meet needs and to build the Kingdom of God.

It's more blessed to give than to receive...