Proverbs 21:26 (NLT)

Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

Have you ever fantasized about winning a big Lottery Jackpot…and what you would do with those millions and millions of dollars? Buy a really nice house and fill it with amazing furniture and electronics…buy some really cool cars…take some huge vacations…pay off all your debts…the list goes on and on. But wait! There’s more! You could help your family members and your in-laws…maybe buy some nice things for your parents, too! And then there’s your church and favorite charities…better not leave them out, right?

Now forget the jackpot and just deal with today’s reality. Do we love to give?

Generosity is spoken about throughout the pages of scripture and is a sign of godliness, Christian love, and charity. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:6-7) and desires that we live a lifestyle that leaves enough margin to be generous…not only with our money, but also with our time and talent. The American Way tends to emphasize the accumulation of things and the protection of our time so that we can take care of ourselves. In the end, that leads to a form of slavery rather than the freedom that Jesus provides (Jn. 8:36). Jesus himself didn’t come to take…He came to give. He gave of His time, His talents, His royalty, His healing power, His forgiving power, and ultimately…His life.

Scripture does not project a vow of poverty onto all of Jesus’ followers, nor does it call any of us to indulge ourselves in all the world has to offer. Scripture calls us to a certain “light-footedness” in this life so that we can bless God, bless others, and yes, even bless ourselves as we invest our time, talent, and treasure into God’s Kingdom, God’s People, and those who have yet to know Him. If you are always thinking about “more” – money, time, stuff – and rarely think about giving or being generous, you are on the wrong track. The spiritually mature love to give…their weaker brothers and sisters prefer to hoard. Which side of the family are you on?