We often think of generosity in the context of financial or material giving. Generosity, however, reflects our sincerity and the test of love. To be generous means to show a willingness to give more than is necessary or expected. It also means to live open-handed for the good of others. We discover such selflessness among those with kind and noble spirits. More than anything, however, generosity reflects the very character and love of God.
More than ever before, we have recently experienced the generosity of others. As difficult life challenges came to our lives, family, friends, and our church community have all generously extended themselves for our behalf. Prayer, time, expertise, meals, encouragement, a listening ear, compassion, financial support — their love proved true through pouring into our lives far more than was necessary or expected.
Isn’t that the way? In the place of need, while grieving or struggling to cope with life’s tragedies, God provides open opportunities for generosity.
During biblical times famine presented one of the greatest threats. Paul encouraged believers to step in and help. He used Jesus as the perfect example for giving generously.
” … I want to test the sincerity of your love … 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.“
2 Corinthians 8:8-9
Generosity will cost us something to help another. Who will we put first? Ourselves or others?
Beyond Ourselves
God invites us to look beyond ourselves, beyond our group, beyond our family, beyond our social circle. Luke records one of Jesus’ parables to emphasize the point.
“The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’”
Luke 10:27-35
How we treat others becomes the true test of love. Are we willing to touch the beggars, the diseased, the unclean of our generation? Are we willing to cross cultural boundaries, even to the point of the scorn from peers, to help those in need.
Ashamedly, not always! This man gave so much more than was expected. He lived open-handed with his neighbor.
Jesus closed with these words, “now go and do the same.”
The Challenge
Here sits the challenge. Far too often, we may prefer to maintain a comfortable distance, leaving someone else to do the dirty work of soothing and bandaging wounds. Surely anyone else is more equipped to handle such occurrences, right? Maybe not.
Jesus looks to you and I to enter the difficult and painful circumstances of others, bringing comfort, healing, and His presence. What people need the most is Jesus living in and through us — a shoulder to cry on, a steady arm to strengthen, an encouraging word, or a meal to show we care.
This posture challenges me. I don’t naturally carry the gift of the compassion. But Jesus, doesn’t limit compassion to a few. He invites us all to demonstrate it clearly, practically, and often.
The initial question presented to Jesus pertained to eternal life. Yet, Jesus’ response pointed to compassion and generosity — the true test of love for Him and others.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
Love is active. Love costs. So does faith. Faith in God equals faith in action. Eternity and the generous display of love cannot be separated. They are twins with the same Father. Selfless love originates with God. Love prepares us for eternity.
So, the challenge remains — will I (will we) love generously?
Prayer
Lord, I come to You with tears … tears of regret for times I have loved less … when love fell short. Help me! Help us, Lord, to love more. Give us a tender heart to love generously — open-handed, loving far more than is expected or necessary. We need You, Lord. Not to teach us, for You have shown us what love looks like and taught us how to love. We need Your love working in and through us so powerfully and fully that it cannot help but bind up wounds, bring comfort to the desolate, give food to the hungry, offer patience to the intolerant, sit with the lonely, weep with those who mourn, or a multitude of other ways. Lord, You desire us to show Your love to those we come in contact with.
God remove hardness and indifference from our hearts. May we become the Good Samaritans of our generation, giving ourselves in sacrificial ways. May we escape the “me-first culture,” looking into the eyes of those with needs.
Father, we repent of critical judgment or busyness that has held us back from meeting the needs of others. Today, Lord, point us someone to whom we may demonstrate love. May the test of love — our love for You — be proved true, strong, and faithful.
Amen.
*****