Among the
spiritual gifts the Apostle Paul mentions in Romans 12 (esp. verse 8) is the
action of sharing with liberality or generosity. As this biblical letter was
written to Christians, it is this group that is expected to take it most
seriously. It also hold lessons for anyone who chooses to lead a life not
focused upon the self.
The context
of this verse includes words of encouragement to think of others first and self
second. There must also be a motivation springing from a high level of
integrity. Such motivation has a goal helping others to become all God intended
them to be. There will be selflessness and sacrifice involved from the
beginning.
Generosity
brings to mind opening your billfold and giving away the green. A lot of people
benefit. The recipients are the first ones that come to mind. Many can also
testify to the positive feelings they get deep in the chest when they have chosen
to follow the words of Christ, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
(Acts 20:35)
There will
never be enough resources in the hands of generous people to deal with the
hunger and poverty of the world. Therefore let someone who is serious about generosity
start at home even while those out of sight are not forgotten. Generosity is
more than money and material objects. It is an attitude, a spirit, a
perspective of humanity.
We all have
far more to give than just money. Too often we are trapped in a worldview shaped
by a culture that places too much emphasis upon the physical and too little
upon the relational. If we look beyond what we have to what we are, we find we
have been gifted with more than just material possessions. When we give of
ourselves in generous fashion, lives are touched in much more lasting ways.
I tell a
group of senior adults in a Bible study I lead each week they never run out of
smiles and encouraging words. Few of them have enough money to pay for someone
else’s doctor visit or medication. Several of them cannot drive. They can offer
a word of encouragement. They can give away a smile to someone whose day has
not been the best. They can pick up the phone and call someone discovering this
was the only interruption that person had had throughout a long and lonely day.
A word of
hope can go a long way. Discouragement is no respecter of age. Someone just
might be willing to take up the struggle one more time when they learn someone
believes in them. You might not be able to help, perhaps shouldn’t, but your
vote of confidence can be the extra push that brings someone to the top.
Sometimes a
word is not necessary. The gift of presence is one of the most powerful we can
give. Among preschoolers it’s called parallel play. “I don’t want you messing
with my toys, but I want you here on the floor near me.” An adult can be just
like that child. “I have to deal with this problem myself. I don’t want you
advice, but don’t leave me to face it alone.” Being generous with your time
tells someone they are high on your priority list. When you show through the
use of your time someone is valuable, their value in their own eyes increases.
May I add
one more area in which generosity is much needed? A friend of mine with more
years in this area of ministry told me the most valuable thing we can do for
our pastors is pray for them. Salary raises are nice. Bringing in consultants
to help with challenges is helpful. Nothing, however, will do them more good
than consistent and sincere prayer. May we all be found generous in our prayers
for others as we pray for God’s will to be revealed in their lives, for his
hand to be at work in their lives, and for their lives to become channels of
his power into the world around them. Generosity of prayer can impact countless
lives for eternity.
