So, for those of you who haven’t noticed…my posting has been a little slack recently.  This for several reasons:

1. My summer schedule makes it hard to get into the routine of regular postings.

2. I am trying to wrap everything up on my second book:  Christ Centered Contentment: Claiming the abundant life He promised.

3. I am preparing to rollover to a new software for my site.

4. I am writing a Sunday School Curriculum for my church.

5. I desire to write quality posts worth reading.

So, check back soon.  I have decided to write one post a week.  That should be doable.

I believe the mark of true generosity can be found in expectation.  As you give or lend:  What is your expectation for the situation?

“If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” (Luke 6:34-35)

Christ gave quite a surprising twist to generosity–expect nothing in return.  This got me thinking about what types of “expectations” we bring to the table of generosity. [Intro previously posted]

HEAVENLY

This post will highlight one often overlooked portion of the passages we have used throughout this mini-series.  Each portion of scripture we have looked actually tells us what our expectation should be:

“and your reward will be great.” (Luke 6:35)

“your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matt. 6:4)

“for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:14)

The Bible instructs our generosity to be motivated by a desire for heavenly reward.  In a sense, we are only to “expect nothing in return” in this life.  However, the expectation of return in the next life should in fact be a passionate motivation.

What exactly heavenly reward is, is never fully described in scripture.  To a certain extent, we don’t really know what heavenly reward is.  I believe this is intentional in order to call us to live by faith.  The only thing that we know for certain is that Christ, the author of our salvation, instructs us to seek after it. 

Taking an honest look at your expectations for generosity (because believe me, you do have expectations of some kind) can free us to give as the Bible instructs, and ultimately, to reap a bountiful harvest in heaven.

Expectation Series: Part 1- Repayment, Part 2- Praise, Part 3- Heavenly.

Check out the latest deals on Dollars and Doctrine here.

I believe the mark of true generosity can be found in expectation.  As you give or lend:  What is your expectation for the situation?

“If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” (Luke 6:34-35)

Christ gave quite a surprising twist to generosity–expect nothing in return.  This got me thinking about what types of “expectations” we bring to the table of generosity. [Intro previously posted]

PRAISE

Accolade is another common expectation following a contribution.  People often, though perhaps not openly, expect praise for their generosity and philanthropy.

“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” (Matt. 6:2-4) 

Christ spoke plainly against this sort of motivation.  He explains that the only reward of “praise seeking generosity” is just what you hoped for–praise from men.  At first it sounds reasonable to get what you expect, perhaps even legitimate.  But we cheat ourselves if all we seek is the recognition of men.

A couple handshakes, a letter of appreciation, or a plaque.  These are nothing compared to the recognition and reward of God.  Christ encouraged us to seek greater things.  We cannot let our desire for praise and recognition rob us of true generosity.  Take time to reflect over how much you anticipate praise, recognition or appreciation.  How do you react when a contribution isn’t met with these things?

One mark of of true Christ-centered generosity is a freedom from recognition.  In fact, such an action actually aspires to secrecy in order to avoid this all to common snare.

Expectation Series: Part 1- Repayment, Part 2- Praise, Part 3- Heavenly.

I believe the mark of true generosity can be found in expectation.  As you give or lend:  What is your expectation for the situation?

“If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” (Luke 6:34-35)

Christ gave quite a surprising twist to generosity–expect nothing in return.  This got me thinking about what types of “expectations” we bring to the table of generosity.

REPAYMENT

“But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13-14)

As mentioned by Christ, the anticipation of “receiving back the same amount” destroys a pure-hearted sense of generosity.  When God’s people give or lend, it must be done with a certain level of detachment.  To a certain extent, we must separate ourselves from our contributions and credits.  This is how we love our enemies.  This is how we prove to the world that Christ is all we really need.  When we act in a manner completely opposite of the world, when we take the very paradigms of earthly existence and flip them upside-down, then we give weight to the idea that there really is something different about Jesus.

Before we let ourselves off of the hook too easily, we must think clearly about what type of “repayments” we expect for our generosity.  If we make a contribution to our church, do we expect certain services to be provided with the use of our money?  Do we expect certain “favors” to be called in by friends we have helped out in the past?  Do we expect a certain level of control in exchange for our contributions?

There are countless ways we expect repayment (other than a literal repayment of funds).  We are free from a moral standpoint to act as we choose, but Christ is speaking of something much deeper here.  He is speaking of a life lived for heaven (Part 3).

Expectation Series: Part 1- Repayment, Part 2- Praise, Part 3- Heavenly.

Check out the latest deals on Dollars and Doctrine here.

In order to keep DnD rolling while I take a week of vacation, I have decided to highlight a Christian Financial blog each day this week.  Each of these sites bring different strengths to the table.  I recommend them each highly. (Of course, you should read them in addition to dollarsanddoctrine.com!!!)

MoneyHelpForChristians.com

In order to keep DnD rolling while I take a week of vacation, I have decided to highlight a Christian Financial blog each day this week.  Each of these sites bring different strengths to the table.  I recommend them each highly. (Of course, you should read them in addition to dollarsanddoctrine.com!!!)

RedeemingRiches.com

In order to keep DnD rolling while I take a week of vacation, I have decided to highlight a Christian Financial blog each day this week.  Each of these sites bring different strengths to the table.  I recommend them each highly. (Of course, you should read them in addition to dollarsanddoctrine.com!!!)

DebtFreeAdventure.com