Generosity!

March 11, 2007

Generosity—Abundant Giving is God’s Idea

“Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

We frequently associate generous giving with sermons preached on stewardship during the church’s pledge campaign and the close relationship of that to the offering plate passed each Sunday. Monetary giving is part of living as a disciple of Christ, but it is not all of it. Our giving comes from a heart linked to God’s heart and encompasses every area of life as we faithfully live out our calling to be Christ’s disciples. In fact, I would like to suggest to you that emptying our wallets on Sunday morning as the offering plate is passed is scratching the surface of discipleship. The generosity of God and our response as Jesus’ disciples goes much deeper.

The Sermon on the Mount teaches us how to live in response to God’s love (Matthew 5:3-12). When we have encountered the Living God in relationship our lives are changed forever and we live as strangers to planet earth. No longer do we seek prestige for Jesus tells us “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Out of our poverty of spirit comes the realization that everything we have is from God and will return to God.

The world says, “Be happy!” Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn…” because in mourning we receive God’s comfort. The world says, “Strive to be your own person…experience success!” Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.” The world invests in humanitarian efforts, but the sons and daughters of God go a step further—“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

What does all this have to do with living generously? We give, not as the world gives. Because we follow our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, we give from His abundance, not ours. He fills us with everything we need—mercy, grace, forgiveness, love, hope, joy—and then asks us to give it all away. As we give it all away for Him, He gives us more, so that the words of Matthew 10:8, “Freely you have received, freely give,” become our standard by which we live.

“For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16)

At the beginning of our series on discipleship we discussed the cost of discipleship. The cost is great. It is easier to hold a grudge than to forgive. It is easier to give money to the church than to invest time. It is easier to criticize than to support and encourage. It is easier to adopt the standards of the world than to stand apart. Our Lord calls us not only to separate ourselves for His sake, but to give generously to those who cannot or will not ever repay us.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”
(1 John 3:16)