The Genius of Generosityنموونە

I would like to leave you with three observations about the Christmas story as it relates to generosity: 

1. Generosity is not so much a virtuous act as it is a virtuous response. 

If we pat ourselves on the back every time we’re generous with our time, money, reputation, or anything else, we’ll end up self-righteous. It’s really a response of gratitude to God, who was generous with us first. 

2. God measures generosity by the size of the sacrifice. 

The magi and shepherds gave something in their worship of Jesus, but not as much as Mary and Joseph did. Giving money and time are like training wheels of generosity compared to the sacrifices made by some. 

3. Increasing levels of generosity bring increasing levels of reward and blessing. 

The magi and the shepherds got to see the Messiah and tell about Him, but Mary and Joseph got to watch Jesus take His first steps and have heart-to-heart conversations with Him as He grew up. 

And Jesus’ even greater sacrifice resulted in an even greater blessing for Him, which we get to share. He paid a price, to be sure, but He did it “for the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). Out of love, He wanted to offer Himself in order to have a relationship with us. And now He sits at the Father’s side in glory, where He and the Father wait for the fulfillment of Their love and joy at the end of history. Increasing levels of sacrifice bring increasing levels of reward. 

If you could stand outside our world and look into it, you would see a stark picture. The world operates on principles of getting and keeping and controlling, with everyone competing against each other for pieces of the pie. But if you look at the Incarnation through the lens of generosity, you would have to conclude that the Kingdom of God operates on different principles than the world does. 

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). 

We become small mirrors of the generosity of the King. That’s life in the Kingdom. That’s pure genius. And it can radically change not only your life but also your world.