|
From an other
translation we read:
"Command them ... to be generous and willing to share. In
this way they will lay up treasure for themselves ..." (1Tim.6:18-19)
Bible reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-19
6 But
godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain
we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and
raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction
and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root
of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these
things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of
faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called,
and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of
God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus,
who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14
That thou keep this commandment without spot,
unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus
Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who
is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and
Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality,
dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no
man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power
everlasting. Amen. 17 Charge them that are rich in
this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things
to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich
in good works, ready to distribute, willing to
communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a
good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold
on eternal life.
We have been
discussing the steps we need to take to become strong at the place
where life breaks us through a financial disaster.
The sixth and final principle the friend I previously
referred to used, and which we need to practice too, is this: Become
a generous person.
Look again at the text at the top of this page. It is so clear
that it hardly needs any explanation. Woven through the fabric of
these verses, as well as in many others in the New Testament, is
the thought: give, give, give, give, give.
When you have money, don't hoard it, release it. Let generosity
become your trademark. This is not to say that you have to give all
your money away, but give as much as you can, and as much as
you believe God would have you give. Jesus once said, "If
your eye is generous, the whole of your body will be
illumined" (Matt. 6:22, Moffatt). What does this mean? If
your eye - your outlook on life, your whole way of looking at
things and people - is generous, then your whole personality is
illumined, lit up.
Jesus had little to give in terms of finances, but He was generous
toward all - the sick, the needy, the maimed, the sinful, and the
unlovely. His whole personality was full of light. So be like
Jesus - begin to see everybody and everything with a generous eye.
Don't be a mean person. One of the greatest definitions of
Christianity I have ever heard is simply this: "Give, give,
give, give give...."
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help me this day and every day of my life from now
on, to make generosity the basis of all my dealings with people.
Make me the channel and not the dead end of all Your generosity to
me. For Your dear Name's sake. Amen.
Further study:
Luke 21:1-4; 6:38; Eccl. 11:1; Acts 4:32-35; Matt. 5:42
1. What did
Jesus teach about giving?
2. How did the early church work this out?
|
