Trevor Thomas is the Managing Director of Ethinvest, the Chair of Micah Australia, and a former Tearfund board member and field worker.
Artwork by Wes Franklin
True generosity stems from a heart of love, giving it the power to transform both the giver and the receiver. 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that if we give everything but lack love, it counts for nothing. Without love, generosity becomes self-serving, driven by pride or guilt. But with love, it cultivates gratitude and humility, reminding us that all we have to give, is first a gift to us.
Jesus poured himself out sacrificially during his earthly ministry, ending many of his days exhausted from ministering to people’s physical, social and spiritual needs. His call to us, as it was to people at the time, is “follow me.”
Jesus-shaped generosity should differentiate us. If our lifestyles look like our neighbours’, then our generosity is sitting within pretty comfortable boundaries. Of course, it's not just money – generosity is an attitude that touches everything we have to share. Arguably time is now the most precious commodity in middle Australia; giving money can be much easier than making time for others.
How do we know we are giving with loving motives? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also reminds us that when it comes to acts of generosity, secrecy guards sincerity. When you give to those in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matt 6:3). The hypocrites trumpet their giving, seeking praise, but followers of Jesus will ensure that their giving is a quiet act of worship, focused on serving the neediest, not themselves.
How do you express generosity in your everyday life?
There are seasons in life when we may have very limited financial resources (like Jesus) – how can we be generous during these times?
Would people look at your bank statement and see in it a testimony to your faith?
How do you talk with others about generosity, to spur each other on, and to be accountable, without grandstanding?
In the gospel of Luke, we see varying responses to Jesus’ invitations and warnings around the temptations and traps of wealth (e.g. the rich young ruler [18:18-24], Zaccheus [19:1-10], the Pharisees [16:10-15]). What stands out to you? What responses arise for you as you think about a biblical call to generosity?
We see the most lavish, pure example of generosity in Jesus -- who lived simply, made himself available, poured out his life while we were totally undeserving. What, in Christ’s example of loving generosity, do you want to spend more time reflecting on this Lent?
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
Praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and holy God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
Let it also be made in heaven.
Amen.
– John Wesley, Covenant Prayer
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