The Weekly Encourager – December 21, 2017 – Joy in Giving

Do you consider yourself to be a generous person? Would others say that about you? What would God say?

It's Christmas; have you pondered God's extraordinary generosity in sending His only Son?

I was not raised to be generous. My parents grew up poor and worked hard for everything they got. Accordingly, I was taught to shop carefully, to take good care of possessions, and to save everything possible for later use. There was an unspoken sense of fear that we might not have enough at some point in the future, so we'd better stock up now and never give anything away. Hard work, self-reliance, and saving are good traits in many circumstances, but not helpful in others. I'll never forget wanting to share a snack with the girls from next door, and my mother saying, “We're not feeding the neighborhood.” It was only as an adult that I figured out that other people routinely offered food and drink to every visitor!

When I became a Christian and started reading the Bible, I got new input. The New Testament gives several examples of Christians who gave generously both to support the work of the gospel and to provide for the practical needs of fellow believers locally and in distant lands. The people who gave were not always the wealthy members of the congregation, but regular folks who gave sacrificially out of loving hearts. They didn't wait for “a better income” to give to the church. Whether giving “the widow's mite” or feeding dozens in large, well-appointed homes, all were commended for liberality.

In studying Jesus' life, I learned that generosity is one of God's traits, and therefore to be emulated. This “Prodigal God” is generous with resources, calling men to “come ye buy and eat, without money.” Salvation is full and free for any who desire it. Certainly at Christmas we see how generous God was with His Son. We see the preeminent model of sacrificial giving. Love was the motivation of the triune God. This love would demand the highest price, yet it was given willingly. One of my favorite hymns is often sung at Christmas:

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor.

When I became part of a church as a teenager, I saw many examples of generosity in action, from the wealthy people in the congregation who established large funds to help people in need, to the dear saintly older widow who gave Dave a “love gift” to help him pay some bills he could not afford. She said she didn't want him to pay her back, but to help someone else down the line. What a fabulous witness that “love gift” was to us when we were dating! And yes, he has paid back that gift many times.

Our pastor at the time, Steve Smallman, preached a series of sermons on Money which made a big impact on me and Dave. He gave a Biblical rationale for tithing which became our standard practice. Of course, tithing is not to be a forced, legalistic task, but a jumping off point, a place to start. “God loves a cheerful giver.” The spiritually mature will desire to give more and more, and God will bless their labors to that end, so that they are enabled to give more. Steve also said that what we do with our money reveals our priorities in life. Hearing that at age 20 was interesting, and now at age 60 I can testify that it's true. I've seen that, even when your resources are quite low and every human instinct says to hoard what you have, the more you give, the more God will provide. He is able! He is faithful! He is generous!

Marrying Dave was another way the Lord used to transform my stingy habits. At first I was pretty disturbed at how much my new husband wanted to give away, but I learned over time to respect this godly quality that the Lord had given him. Meanwhile, Dave respected the good training I had received in saving and managing money; he soon delegated the bill-paying to me. [This is one example of how opposites can benefit from one another in marriage.] I began to pray that the Lord would make me more generous with my money and possessions. Sure enough, He who began a good work in me is working to complete it.

Fast forward to Christmas 2016, one year ago. God had prospered us tremendously over the years. Yes, we started with next to nothing (“a bed and a piano”), but with hard work and God's provision, we saw our capital grow. Two key Biblical principles of careful management and generous giving can go hand-in-hand. Last Christmas I had the most wonderful time writing a bunch of checks! Instead of my fleshly nature filling me with fear for our future, the Lord of the Universe filled me with great joyfulness. Instead of a duty, it was a privilege to bless others. I'm not saying I have learned this concept perfectly yet (I am hanging on way too tightly to way too many things), but I can see the Holy Spirit working in me.

This Christmas is a bit different, since Dave's job ended just before Thanksgiving. Here is a test of faith, and what will we do? We're giving the same amounts as last year, and I get to write the checks! It is my JOY to tithe and to support various missions and causes in the community. It is my JOY to trust that God will provide a new job for Dave. It is my JOY to be obedient to Christ. It is my JOY to try to model my life after the Scripture, and to carry on the tradition of saints who were generous to me. He who did not spare His own Son will give us everything else we need. If I can trust Him with my salvation, I can trust Him with my money.

Are you generous with what God has given you? May this be a season of joy in giving, to the glory of God.

A Blessed Christmas to you all,
j

Copyright 2017 Janet A. Marney. As always, I welcome your comments below.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, written by FRANK HOUGHTON (1894-1972).