I believe that as we explore the Bible, we discover that giving selflessly is a major theme of God's plan for how we should live our lives. Take a look at the first family, and Abel, who pleased God by freely giving the best of his flocks as an offering to the Lord. In his early years, David was tormented and chased around the countryside by the evil and jealous King Saul, but after Saul died and David was made king, he still generously offered his home and all he had to the last remaining living member of Saul's household, a crippled and lame man named Mephibosheth. Generosity toward God was a hallmark of David's relationship with God as well... just take a look at 2 Samuel 24:24 where David makes the famous proclamation that he will not offer something to God that has cost him nothing.
But the theme of generosity is clearly seen in the life of Jesus. Jesus was generous with his time; using it to train his 12 disciples and also using it to spend time with those who desired to learn about the new kingdom that Jesus proclaimed. He also was generous with his miraculous abilities, frequently using them to help those in need all throughout the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But Jesus' generosity is no clearer seen than on the cross, where he demonstrates the art of selfless giving up to the point of even giving his life for all of us, that we might be able to discover eternal life.
Think I'm over-examining the theme of generosity in Jesus' life? Think again. Right after Jesus ascended back into heaven and we read the story of the early church being formed in the book of Acts, we discover that the early Christ followers made generosity a huge practice. In fact, in Acts 4, we are told that none of the believers considered his/her possessions their own, but that they freely gave and distributed to others as they had need, so that no one had any needs among them. I think that is an incredible statement. People would give their possessions and even sell their land to give to the church to help further the mission of Jesus. This is probably their logical follow-up to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 25. James sums it up perfectly in his letter to churches when he states quite simply that a real relationship with Jesus looks like us giving what we have been given to help the needy among us.
Quite simply, I believe that the Bible commands Christ followers to be people who are defined by their generosity. And it makes sense. Have you ever met people who are "married" to something? It might be their
time
money
talents
or really any other thing that God has been kind enough to entrust to us.
And it looks ugly. Really ugly. I think the reason is because we allow that thing to control us; to essentially "own" us. And that obviously conflicts that believers should submit to Christ, not their talents, money, or time. When I generously give, I am essentially refusing to allow that thing to control and consume me. And in the process, I'm able to mold my life more into the giving and generous type of life that God wants me to live.
Maybe practicing generosity looks like you giving more of your financial resources to church, or even just to start giving for the first time at church. Maybe it looks like you using some of your time to help develop and mentor someone else. Maybe it simply looks like you using the talent God has given you to help serve in the church or the community. I don't know your exact situation, but I do know that God asks us to give generously as part of following him.
It's a wild, exciting, and worthwhile ride. Get ready... and start to live generously.
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