“Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice…He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor (Psalm 112:5,9).”
A person who is generous is liberal in giving. I have known several generous people in my time.
These people have come through for me when I was in a pinch. They gave in abundance and they did it with an open hand, and without criticism. Most of the people who come to mind gave money. There are others, however, who gave of their time to help me out.
I have known other people who have given to me in need, but I wouldn’t call them generous. They weren’t warmhearted about it. There seemed to be a spirit of constraint about them. I appreciated their help, but I didn’t care for the attitude that was conveyed.
The Scriptures not only indicates that we Christians should not ignore our needy bretheren, but also note that we ought to have sympathy for them in their suffering (I John3:17). It’s not enough just to pass out the money.
The recipient of a gift shouldn’t have to wonder about the attitude of the giver. A coldhearted giver sends mixed signals to their beneficiary. The needy person may need more than just the gift. They also may need to know there is somone who loves and cares for them.
Those who are the object of gifts given without concern feel humiliated. In some respects, they feel as if they are in the power of those who are giving to them. This feeling can lead to apprehension in their relationship with the giver. This ought not to be.
A relationship between Christians should be characterized by love. There should be no fear in the mix. If there is, it is not the love of God which is at work. Jesus already took our judgment upon Himself. As a result, we can be confident in God’s presence.
A person who is not openhanded in spirit and/or judging their brother, even though they may support them financially or in another way, is not reflecting God’s attitude. Instead, they are displaying one of obligation and perhaps even arrogance. It might have been better for the Christian walk of the recipient of their unfriendly giving if they had just kept their help to themselves.
When we give, we ought to reflect God to each other in the process. I hope if I ever have the chance to give in abundance to someone, I will truly display God’s generosity.
Slow New Day 