John 15
12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about generosity. Although it isn't mentioned specifically in Galatians 5, it is certainly IN THE BIBLE. In a recent sermon on the topic, my pastor shared this: This issue of generosity is mentioned 2285 times in
the Bible; hope is mentioned
185 times, faith 246 times, love 733 times; generosity: 2285 times. What does
that tell you? It tells you this is important. All of that said, how many people misunderstand or dismiss generosity as an essential part of a Christian life?
Generosity has nothing to do with what you have or receive and everything to do with what you give.
Of love, you may say they are hateful, they don't deserve my love.
Jesus said love them as I have loved you.
and love them like you love yourself. (I've expanded on this before.)
Of kindness, you may say they are selfish,
but saying this makes us selfish. Paul said we should do
nothing from selfishness. (see Phil 2 below)
Of money, you may say you have none to spare.
"I am afraid that the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare."
–C.S. Lewis (Mark 12:41-44)
Philippians 2
1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God,did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
We mustn't measure our decisions based on how they will affect us but on how they glorify God and build His kingdom.
Give generously.
Love freely.
Show kindness always.
Do all of this with humility.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Convenience is not a factor to be considered in the pursuit of generosity, and the generous spirit does not think of what it can gain.
