Who Christ Calls You to BeExemplo

Day 3: Christ Calls You to Be a Generous Giver

Key Verses

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:6–7)

Jesus sets a high bar when it comes to our financial responsibility. He calls us not only to give but also to give with a generous spirit. Yet what He gives us is not a financial burden; it is an opportunity—a chance to demonstrate a mature, active, and difference-making faith. As the devastated rich young ruler discovered in Mark 10:17–22, a person’s attitude toward money and possessions reveals more about him or her than perhaps the person cares to know.

For one thing, giving generously demonstrates proper gratitude to God. When we give, we acknowledge what has been given to us. We give to others from the bounty of God’s blessings in our life. Generosity is an outflow of our celebration of God’s goodness.

Our giving also demonstrates a proper attitude toward God. In Matthew 6:1–4, Jesus instructs us to give with as little fanfare as possible. In fact, our generosity should be so low-key that our left hand doesn’t know what our right hand is doing. That prevents us from wrongly receiving credit for God’s work. It also focuses people’s attention on Him. If God doesn’t receive all the glory for our giving, we’re doing something wrong. That presents a very real challenge in our social-media-obsessed society, where news of generous acts routinely goes viral.

Our giving also reveals a heart for others. In order for us to give as God instructs us to do, we must be aware of others’ needs—the needs of the church, the needs of various ministries, the needs of friends and acquaintances who are experiencing difficulties, the needs of people in our community. The more we search for ways to give generously, the more we become aware of people’s needs.

Generous giving is a key element of discipleship because it acknowledges that we trust God to supply our needs. In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus staked out the temple treasury, where people came to make their offerings. He watched several ostentatious givers loudly announce their gifts by tossing handfuls of bronze coins into the trumpet bell that served as a collection device. Yet the only offering that truly moved Him came from a widow who quietly offered two mites—coins that had very little value to anyone but her. That’s because they were all she had.

The faithfulness, obedience, and trust of her offering made it priceless in God’s eyes. And if we give with the same spirit, our gifts will accomplish much.