Reflections on Generosity
Generosity and Meeting Needs
My mind is on the subject after I preached on this topic on Sunday. To recap, once we understand and taste God’s happy generosity towards us, we will cheerfully give. This is the root of Biblical generosity. I think almost everyone wants a percentage for giving to the church (10%) that would make this whole process clean. If you are above the line, you are generous, if you are below…um, not so much. I am not trying to knock those that are convinced the Old Testament principle of tithing 10% is binding for Christians today. In fact, that number is a helpful guide as a starting place for many generous Christians. Instead, I am knocking the tendency that is alive and well in my heart to check things off a list so that I feel like I’ve done my duty. I am tempted to do it with giving, my devotional life, attendance at church gatherings, missional conversations, and lots of other things.
As I was pondering how much I secretly wish for a simple, concrete rule that I can “do”, I had my iphone on shuffle on the way to work this morning and Derek Webb’s “A New Law” came on. He doesn’t address money, but the song resonated with me. He says, “Don’t teach me about politics and government, just tell me who to vote for. Don’t teach me about truth and beauty, just label my music. Don’t teach me how to live like a free man, just give me a new law. I don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy, so just bring it down from the mountain to me.” I identified with Webb’s song because I start with a desire to please God, but it quickly morphs into something that I want to do so that I will be righteous before Him. It is so subtle. I don’t want to wrestle with receiving His generosity and with what would be joyful generosity of my cash and time. It’s easier to not mess with all of that and just write the check and feel good about myself.
Learning the root of obedience is key for Redeemer and for all Christians. We can guilt each other into giving money and for caring for those with all kinds of needs. What would happen if we didn’t look at this issue as something we “do” and move on with? Here are a few things that I think would happen:
1. I’ve already heard others say out loud (and in emails) what my heart is saying about this topic: what freedom! It is an entirely different way of thinking about our cash and time and abilities. Instead of obligation and guilt, it’s joy and freedom!
2. I think we’d actually give more money and time. While guilt and obligation might net short-term results, burn out is inevitable. When we receive grace from a joyful God and then give out our joy, it will likely be more sacrificial and will sustain itself.
3. I think we’d do more as a church- we’d have people that joyfully give of their time as missionaries in their daily routines here in Lubbock. We’d talk about this transforming grace all of the time. We’d meet physical and emotional needs where we see them. We’d have some of these happy, generous people plant churches and move overseas. Instead of meeting a minimum standard, people would be looking to give their life away to a worthy King.
4. I think there would be more rest even while some needs remain unmet. We would understand that we have limited time and financial resources and we’d have to trust God. We would feel more comfortable than ever saying, “no.”
So, all of this to say, I feel like God is working in my heart to receive grace from Him that will cause me to work even harder and rest even more deeply in Him. It compels us to work and give and then it brings liberty and rest from feeling it all depends on us. That is pretty amazing. Isn’t that the gospel message in a nutshell?
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