What makes one generous?
I can reflect on times I’ve tried to live generously with my finances through pure willpower and determination. While I saw the initial fruit, this never produced a lasting change in my soul. Life’s ups and downs slowly chipped away at my will and eventually, I was in the same old patterns of selfishness, fear, and stagnation.
Then, my life crossed paths with an older married couple that “got it” and it forever changed my life. In fact, it was their generosity that God used to change my life, my entire family, and as a result thousands of others.
How Generosity Opened New Doors
In 2001 I was finishing up active duty as a Captain in the Air Force and really sensed a call to full-time vocational ministry. I applied and pursued many options but no doors opened. I stayed in the Reserves and took a position in economic development. About a year into this position, I felt that “tug” again and began to explore options. I was referred to an international missions organization that needed a business and development professional. Of course, they had no funding but encouraged me to apply. I applied and interviewed over the phone, and they promised to be in touch. About a week later my wife and I got an invite to fly to Portland, OR to interview.
A supportive church covered our travel expenses, encouraging us to seize the opportunity and walk through that open door. We interviewed and everything lined up, we loved the opportunity, people, and mission, and they sensed I was the right candidate. However, no funding. I flew back home and had mixed emotions. Was this an exercise in futility? Was this God trying to teach us something?
About 6-weeks later I received a call from the ministry CEO. He informed me that they received an “anonymous” check in the mail that covered my salary, benefits, a new office, and admin support for one year and wondered if I would take the job.
Religion vs. the Gospel
Timothy Keller summarizes this tension very well in The Prodigal God. He writes, “Religion operates on the principle of ‘I obey—therefore I am accepted by God.” The basic operating principle of the gospel is ‘I am accepted by God through the work of Jesus Christ—therefore I obey.’ I am a born-again follower of Christ and have fully trusted in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I know that I am justified freely by His grace and not by works. Yet, still, I see a constant battle within my own heart to gravitate towards religion when it comes to giving (and many other areas of my life) instead of truly embracing the fullness of the gospel and appropriating it in a way that makes a difference every single day of my life.
Can you relate to this struggle?
When I teach about biblical generosity within churches, I ask, “What makes Christianity any different than any religion as it pertains to generosity?” Doesn’t nearly every religion or ascribed faith acknowledge the goodness of generosity? The difference is that religion asks us to give what we can, or the excess. Yet, followers of Christ are asked to give everything to God. “Behavioral compliance to rules without heart-change will be superficial and fleeting” (Keller, 2008, pg. 133). This is at the core of religion. Yet, our Leader, Jesus Christ, set the ultimate example by giving His life, a standard none of us could ever accomplish. This act of generosity solidified our value to God, and as a result, we can give freely, without pressure to satisfy religious requirements.
I’m so grateful that when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, He didn’t ask His Father if He could only give 10% of Himself for the world, and conclude that was enough. He gave His all—100%—ensuring our salvation through Him! Jesus sacrificed His very life, pardoning our sins and securing our eternal relationship with our Creator. This is the radical truth of the Gospel and what sets Christianity apart from religion. This amazing truth is what transforms us to live radically generous lives and is exactly what a lost and hurting world is looking for.
So how do we personally appropriate the Gospel in our life?
Dictonary.com defines appropriate as “to take to or for oneself; take possession of.” I love this definition because I believe it helps communicate the intentionality we must have as Christians. Because we are forgetful people, we must be intentional to daily take possession of the gospel.
Reacquaint yourself with the generosity of Christ
2 Corinthians 8:9 states, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich.” When we truly reflect and take time to think about what God did for us, it ignites within us a desire to be generous back to Him. This is one of the most important reasons I believe daily time in the Word of God is so important. The Bible provides a daily, constant reminder, of God’s plan to redeem mankind by sending His only Son. Seek to thank God daily for what He did for you.
Reflect on those things holding you back
2 Timothy 2:4 states,“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.” Maybe it’s security in your savings account, fear that you won’t have what you need, or just plain selfishness that entangles you from a life of radical generosity for God. It’s important to understand the root of what may be holding you back, so take inventory of those and pray specifically for God to transform your thinking to match His. Be intentional about responding biblically vs. in the flesh.
Rest in God’s care and provision
Matthew 6:31-33 states, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
So often, we rest in ourselves and then turn to God when we have need or face circumstances beyond our control. Scripture calls us to reverse the order. As a result, we will see that we will have everything materially we ever need. It’s important to note that this is not a “give-to-get” prescription. God provides for us regardless. The Lord is simply saying we must completely rest in Him vs. ourselves. When we choose to do this, we can give radically, and still see God provide everything we need. To rest means to make a decision. Be intentional each day to declare where you stand.
Respond to God by modeling his example
James 1:22 states, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”. Galatians 5:1 also states, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” We are free because of Christ. We bear no burden to give to gain God’s acceptance; Christ has already secured our full acceptance. Therefore, we can respond, in this freedom, and be radically generous because we want to be like our loving Father. It’s our adoration and love for Him and sparks a life of generosity.
Reflecting on Your Journey of Generosity
So where do you stand? Has giving merely been a way to satisfy a perceived religious requirement? Or, have you experienced the freedom to give that can only come from followers of Jesus Christ?