We have said that the generous give and give and give. I want to add that the generous are always giving. They give to all – the poor and the rich alike.
I used to think that one should only give to those who are obviously in need, until the Lord sent a sister my way whose life of giving taught me a lot. She gave to all and at one time, even though I earn a big salary, she sent a money gift to me as a contribution to a building project that I had on. What she gave cost her a lot, although it was negligible compared to the sums of money that were being put into the project. Her gift touched my heart and ministered not so much to my material need as to my spiritual need. The small sum of money and the letter that came with it caused something to flow from the Lord to me, and my heart was warmed towards the Lord in a new way. By her material gift, she reached out and met my spiritual need in a way that a thousand sermons could not have done. I will always remember her and her generosity.
Some think that generosity is something for the rich. It is indeed something for the rich: those who are rich in the Lord. Such people who are filled with the Lord hold nothing back. They give everything away, yet they are satisfied because, like Levi of old, they own no inheritance. The Lord is their Inheritance. One such example in the Bible was the woman who gave her last two coins. She gave all she had and, as the last coins were given away, I believe that God entered into her life in a fuller measure and she became rich in God. Who can be rich in God and lack anything? Those who are poor in the Lord, even if they have all the wealth in the world, are prone to being stingy.
THE BLESSING OF GENEROSITY
The Bible says, “All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back” (Proverbs 21:26). “One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want” (Proverbs 11:24). “A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered” (Proverbs 11:25).
“God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work. As it is written,
‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.’
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness (benevolence). You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God; for the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but also overflows in many thanksgivings to God. Under the test of this service, you will glorify God by your obedience in acknowledging the gospel of Christ, and by the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others; while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for this inexpressible gift” (2 Corinthians 9:8-15).
The blessings of generosity include:-
- God providing the generous with every blessing in abundance.
- God multiplying their resources.
- God increasing the harvest of their righteousness.
- They will be enriched in every way.
- They will cause many to thank God.
- The needs of others will be met.
- God will be glorified.
- Other believers will long for them and pray for them.
God, may all of Your children become generous! Amen.