Behind the power of generosity

A young hockey team was decimated in a terrible highway crash. The aftermath is complex but one thing stands out; people from all over the world sent financial gifts to the survivors totaling more than fifteen million dollars. Why? Many of them had a connection with the team, but many did not. What makes a person want to give in a situation of no relationship at all?

This real-life situation is something like the story of the man who tossed starfish back into the water. When someone asked why he bothered since this would make no difference to the thousands of starfish stranded on the shore, he replied as he tossed in another, “It makes a difference to this one.”

In a world filled with tragedies, sometimes the overwhelmed human heart needs to focus on just one because we cannot fix or help them all.

There is another aspect of giving that applies especially to Christians. God has shown us that He is sovereign and that all we possess is a gift from Him. We know (or should know) that whatever we give away, if we need it He will replace it. The Christians who are most generous know this is true and can give without concern for their own needs.

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:6–11)

Generosity is more than giving money. The ‘God wants you rich’ people will say that if you give dollars you will reap dollars, but God is not in that kind of investment business. While that happens now and then, the benefits of generosity are usually unexpected things like your shoes never wear out, or someone sells you their slightly used car for $100, or you continually find bargains at the grocery store.

Another benefit is an increased love for the recipients. I’ve noticed that whenever my little children were upset with their dad, all I had to do was get them to do something generous for him, like shine his shoes, and their attitude changed. It works for me too. If someone troubles me, “pray for your enemies” may not change them, but it changes me. A generous heart is blessed in the giving.

This is a Holy Spirit thing. The grace of God promises to supply all my needs — and He does. By transforming His people into the image of His Son, we become more like Jesus in His sacrificial generosity. He gave Himself to set others free from their sin. My giving can set people free from poverty, fear, loneliness, and a host of other problems especially when it is done cheerfully and in faith that God will take of my needs as I do it.

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, this is a cheerful thought. Trusting You as my source makes generosity an experience full of lovely surprises. You have blessed me over and over by making me willing to let go of my precious stuff!

Do unto others…

This morning I received a call from a neighbor who is working in another city. Her security company phoned with the news that something triggered the alarm on her patio door. While venturing out in the dark was a little intimidating for me, it felt good to do a favor for a friend. Also, with a foot of fresh snow yesterday, it was easy to see that no one had been anywhere near her home. 

After reading today’s devotional, I wondered if the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is a command for life or another way of saying whatever you dish out will come back to you. 

Modern maxims say the same thing, such as: smile and the world smiles with you. It seems true. I’ve also noticed that when I am a polite and careful driver, so are others. When I am thankful, others are thankful. When I complain, others complain. While none of this is one hundred percent 24/7, it seems to be generally true most of the time.

However, it is important to remember that God looks for unselfish motives. The idea of giving so I can get something back throws this maxim out a window. Think also of the preachers who use it to get gullible people to send them money. This is a repulsive abuse of this important principle, never mind an abuse of the pocketbooks of those who fall for it.

On the other hand, God does bless good things done for others. An Old Testament proverb puts it this way: “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered” (Proverbs 11:25). 

The words of Jesus bear out this ‘equal measure’ maxim. He says things like:

Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. (Mark 4:24)

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:37–38)

Another New Testament passage talks about giving in this same ‘equal measure’ manner showing that God is behind the idea that we get back what we give out.

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully…. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:6–11)

All of this has me thinking of the rewards God gives for obedience. Sometimes they are immediate; sometimes they are reserved for eternity. The reward might be like the deed, such as money for money, but it also could be different, such as getting warm from good exercise on a cold morning in trade for giving someone else peace of mind. 

Either way, it is never a bad idea to do good for others.