When my granddaughter was young, she would hold out some of her snack, and I would say, “Oooh… is that for grandpa??” Then she would take it back, eat it and laugh! It was the funniest thing to her. Lately, that has changed. At a recent Bruins game, she sat down beside me and said, “Grandpa, this popcorn is for both of us”, and happily shared it with me. Generosity is a sign of growing up.
Occasionally, God’s people were mature enough to really understand the value of giving.
In the earliest days, when God’s people first started worshipping him, they gave so much that Moses had to tell them to stop bringing their gifts (Exodus 36:1-7). Later, when King Hezekiah reopened the temple, they gave so many gifts that they were piled in heaps around the courtyard (2 Chronicles 31). Generosity was one of the most prominent qualities of the New Testament church (Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37). Regarding one group, Paul said, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity… they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability… they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:2-4).
When God’s people remember who they are, they become givers. Generosity shows that we get it! We understand that we do not have what we have because we have earned it. It is not ours to keep. Rather, God has blessed us so that we can bless others. In the words of Jesus, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
What if we gave, not because we were obligated to or to ensure the bills got paid, but simply because we were so thankful that we wanted to share our blessings?
What if that generosity extended to your words, time and encouragement as well?
You might be surprised at the result.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
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