The “Secret” of Generosity

“Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

 God calls us to be abundantly generous.  Most Christians think His motivation for this is some strange sort of religious self-denial.  That is not Christianity that is Buddhism!  We must begin to understand that Christ calls us to abundant generosity because He knows that generosity is the pathway to true life.  Solomon said, “Happy is he who is gracious to the poor,” (Prov. 14:21) and “He who waters will himself be watered.” (Prov. 11:25)  In the words of Christ, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” (Luke 6:38)  Christianity is about finding the fullness of life in Christ.  The Lord knows that being generous with our time, energy, love, service, devotion, and yes—money, will lead us to “life indeed.”  The world’s economy teaches us to be like a sponge—absorbing all that can be taken in.  God’s word reveals the secret joy that is found in a life of pouring out onto others, as did Christ.