Generosity

Generosity is a rare value in our culture of self-sufficiency. How can we cultivate this to be blessing to our spiritual community? Rev Lee Meng Cham shares his insights.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”(Proverbs 11:25) Generosity in our lives reflects a right belief and shows the state of true and living faith. When we are generous we bear witness to Christ and bring glory to God. The most common word for ‘generosity’ in the New Testament is ‘haplotes’ (Greek: without folds). This is the virtue of character that is sincere, without guile or hidden agenda, open-hearted, acting magnanimously and liberally, without ‘strings attached’.

When the word ‘generosity’ is used in conjunction with giving, it means to share openly in all things so that there is no lack, and that there is equality of means and unity of purpose in the body of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:13-15). This characteristic goes beyond the fiscal to the giving of our time, attention, focused presence, words of affirmation and encouragement, and intercession. However, it does not preclude the giving of funds.

Of course, generosity in financial giving is the most concrete and hence, for the vast majority, the most challenging. However, the litmus test for New Testament ‘generosity’ is not in the amount (what we give) but more importantly, in the quality of joy, love and grace (how we give).

What generosity is not

• It is not giving with a grudging or grumbling spirit, or out of obligation or guilt. (Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 9:5-7)
• It is not giving with fanfare, or a roundabout way to benefit oneself. If we do, we will not be motivated by love but by our calculated investment. (Matthew 6:2-4; Luke 14:12-14)
• It is not giving our leftovers. God, in His generosity, sacrificially gave is His best! The word ‘grace’ is used 10 times within 2 Corinthians 8-9, which constitutes Apostle Paul’s exhortation on the ‘grace of giving’. And this ‘grace’ of giving always means more, never less. (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 8:7)
• It is not giving that is episodic and emotional but planned, regular and purposeful. (1 Corinthians 16:2)

How are we to be generous with one another?

Generosity begins with the right mindset and attitude. When called to give we usually consider what we have (or do not have) and the worthiness of the recipient. Both will cap our generosity, especially when we view resources as a zero-sum game. However, our benchmark for generosity comes from our triune God: the abundant provision of the Father, the example in the Son, and the enabling gifts by the Holy Spirit.

Because generosity is other person-centered, our consideration should not be on what we have to give but what the real needs of the recipient are. While stinginess is token-giving, fairness is commensurate-giving; only generosity is extravagant-giving, not predicated on the worth of the recipient but the worth we are ascribing to the person we are giving to.

As His faithful stewards, we are not to hoard but to pass on what we have been entrusted with. We are then released from fear that comes from a poverty mentality and exchanging it for a God-pleasing faith in the God of abundance (2 Corinthians 9:10, 11).

Another aspect of being generous is to practise hospitality; the opening of our hearts, hands and homes, starting with but not limited to our family and the family of God (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9). Being hospitable infers that we do not deliberately or conveniently overlook those who are experiencing lack around us (1 John 3:17-18). In emulating Christ’s sacrificial love, we need to learn to do and go without so that others can do with (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

How does being generous edify us?

Jesus taught that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Being generous:

• Frees us from a life of self-absorption, self-preservation, and self-preeminence. (Ephesians 4:28)
• Frees us from the greed and grip of materialism. (Matthew 6:24)
• Frees us from the fear of insufficiency. (Proverbs 22:9; 2 Corinthians 9:8)
• Releases joy and thanksgivings. (2 Corinthians 9:12-15)
  
  Firstly, for what we have been given. Secondly, for what we have to give and share in the service of God’s people, and to those who are spiritually and physically impoverished. Thirdly, the recipients will offer up praises and thanksgivings to God, who is our ultimate Benefactor. In all this, God alone is glorified!
  
  “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.” (Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle, p71)
• Witnesses to the future life in the Kingdom of God.
  
  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Generosity in and through the church should be a stark contrast to a culture that strives to be self-sufficient and independent. (Ephesians 3:20-21)