Generosity

October 9

Jeremiah 9-10

Psalm 112:1-5

Proverbs 24:21-22

I Timothy 6:11-21

Generosity

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they take hold of the life that is truly life.” 

I Timothy 6:17-19 LSB

We can be generous with others because God has been generous with us.  If we look at the world around us it can be scary.  Famines and droughts around the world can cause us to worry about having enough food for our family.  The war in the Middle East causes fear about the availability and price of gas.  We can all remember during the Covid epidemic in 2020 how toilet paper flew off the shelves and we were worried we wouldn’t have enough to meet the needs of our family.  A recent shortage of baby formula had people on Facebook asking their friends to check their local stores for the brand they needed.  All of these things can make us want to stockpile and hoard the supplies we need so that we are protected during an emergency.  I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t do that.  I think it is prudent to keep supplies on hand so that you can feed your family in the event of a natural disaster or other calamity.  There are numerous passages in the Bible about planning ahead (Luke 14:28-30, Proverbs 6:6-8, 31:10-31).  God expects us to be diligent and work hard to plan for the future.  But it is easy to get carried away.  We cannot plan for every eventuality.  We cannot see into the future or predict every problem we may face.  We can be responsible and wise with the resources we have and then we have to trust God to take care of us.  We can be assured that He can see the future.  He knows everything that is going to happen and He can provide for us when we need it. 

Placing our trust in Him allows us to be wise today but not spend time worrying about the future.  Worry and fear about the future causes us to want to hoard what we have and save it in case we might need it in the future.  This leaves little room for generosity and giving to others.  God allows us the privilege of being His hands and feet in the world.  If we allow Him to, He will use us to meet the needs of others.  “Give and it will be given to you.  They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, running over.  For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38 LSB   “He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.” Proverbs 28:27 LSB   “But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?  Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” I John 3:17-18 LSB    We can trust that if we are generous with the resources God gives us, He will take care of us when we have needs.