Business With Godનમૂનો

Generosity is one of the hardest subjects. For one, we usually think others want something from us when we hear about it. Secondly, others often want something from us when we hear about it! Thirdly, it means we lose and others gain.

Giving is so strange. On the outside, it can seem like we're voluntarily being stolen from. Again, though, nothing could be further from the truth. 

When we choose to give, we show how much like God we truly are. God gave us His best. Whereas we get stingy when things get personal and cost us or our families greatly, God gets extravagant! He gave us the highest gift we will--hands down, for all eternity--ever receive. He gave us Jesus. 

For many, generosity is an afterthought. For God, it is his first thought. Generosity and kindness are at the core of His nature. The enemy steals, but God gives. Whereas we may give begrudgingly, He gives with excitement, joy, and expectancy. He even finds joy in giving when we exhibit zero gratefulness!

In a world obsessed with market values and keeping overheads low, God is raising up individuals who want to be as extravagant to others as possible. He is looking for people who will adopt His joy and enthusiasm, finding more reward in giving than in getting, being generous with their time, talents, energy, resources, and intellectual property. 

He is looking for people who will pay unfairly good wages, push the envelope in delivering value, improve the environment, give out zero-interest loans (with no debt-collectors employed or contracted) and demonstrate, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the goodness of God. And to do so with no need for recognition or applause. God loves it when we just enjoy helping others, and find Him to be our ultimate reward. 

Perhaps, we are reluctant to give because we don't realize we already have it all. I'm convinced that if the rich young ruler had truly seen Jesus, he would have had zero reservations about liquidating his wealth, giving it all away, and "disenfranchising" himself. 

Truly, if we have Jesus, we have everything. Nothing is more valuable than being with Him. He is the fullness of wisdom. He owns everything. He is the most beautiful person. There is no heart kinder or braver than His. There is no peace greater than His presence. He is our highest joy and greatest possession. Nothing else matters. 

And there is so much joy for us to experience when we allow His generous nature to flow through us. I pray all of these joys will be yours in abundance.

Here are the final questions:

1. What hesitancy do you experience when God asks you to be generous? 

2. How is the Lord asking you to partner with Him to display His radical generosity?