Among the poor, I’ve often encountered extravagant generosity. In the Amazon jungle, locals stretched their meager resources to provide me with daily meals. One evening they prepared fresh monkey stew and though it was not something I cared to eat, it was a costly delicacy for them. Within the slums of Mexico or Indonesia, you’ll often discover individuals who, because they have so little to horde and protect, exhibit the grace of generosity.
God’s people, from Old Testament to New, have always given money as an act of worship to God and as a way of tangible participation in the joy of seeing God’s kingdom established on earth. In the Bible, God has much to say about money—mentioning money (or possessions) 2,172 times. God talks about what we own three times more than love and seven times more than prayer.
It’s not as though our money and possessions are more important than those other matters, but how we use them serves as a reflection of our entire lives. We might say we love God and neighbor, or we might say that we pray to Christ as Lord; but if our possessions have a stranglehold on our affections, then our words are hollow.
Richard Halverson says, “Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a person’s real nature, money is of first importance. Money is an exact index to a person’s true character. All through Scripture there is an intimate correlation between the development of a person’s character and how he handles his money.”
Paul reminded the Corinthians that generosity comes from a life lived in the way of Jesus, who, “though He was rich, yet for [our] sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make [us] rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 5:1-14
More:
Read Matthew 6:21. What’s the connection between our money and the state of our heart? Why do you think this connection exists?
Next:
Where do you tend to be greedy, to grasp firmly your money and whatever you own? Where do you need to let your money go?
tom felten on May 6, 2013 at 9:44 am
Winn, I’ve been reading the book “When Helping Hurts,” and it reminds me that we must live out both wisdom and generosity. Sometimes the right thing to do is to generously pour our out time and treasures to help those in need. At other times, the loving thing can be to simply come alongside those who are already doing a good work and help equip and encourage them. Praise God for the discernment He provides through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
winn collier on May 6, 2013 at 10:55 am
yes, much discernment – and presence – required. I’ve heard that is a good book.
columbia415 on May 6, 2013 at 10:53 am
When you ask someone to define the word “wealth”, the definition quite frequently revolves primarily around a person’s money and financial state.
Lately, I find myself defining my wealth in my relationships with my Savior, family and friends, and my own contentment regarding the direction of my personal life. The peace that God gives me, which transcends my understanding, is confirmation (I hope) that my priorities and direction are in order.
Money, contrary to many, should not solely define wealth. Life, and a God given contentment with one’s life, is truly wealth!
winn collier on May 6, 2013 at 10:57 am
We have many resources and many places of provision and abundance, absolutely. Still, the Scriptures have a whole lot to say about actual money.
mike wittmer on May 7, 2013 at 8:13 pm
This is very convicting. I suspect that most of us are living with more wealth than anyone ever has. Our lives are filled with more ease and plenty than kings previously enjoyed. And to whom much is given, much is required. I don’t like that part one bit.
winn collier on May 11, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Generosity cuts at it, though, doesn’t it? Let’s foster that.
marvin williams on May 10, 2013 at 8:41 am
Winn, as I read your devotional, I began thinking about my own stewardship and what it says about my character. The “exact index” part was the most convicting to me. It can’t be an “almost” or an “approximate” index of my character? I suppose one of the reasons we get sucked into the vortex of consumerism and the quicksand of greed and selfishness is because of fear – fear of missing out, fear of being in the know, fear of not mattering and being viewed as significant, and maybe even the fear that God doesn’t know our needs. The conflict of fear vs. faith seems to be at the base of our relationship with money. Just thinking out loud. Winn, thank you for being faithful to the word and the prompting of the Spirit.
winn collier on May 11, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Marvin, you’re dead-on. I think fear is at the root of so many things that wreck us.