33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In our verses for today Jesus speaks to us regarding selfless (sans ulterior motives in our giving with respect to expectations of others), willing giving. This, my friends, God loves! I am reminded of a quote I recently came across – unfortunately, I have no idea who to credit it to - that seems appropriate regarding this very point:
“It is another one of those "immutable laws of the universe" where sharing, caring and giving trumps self-centered, narcissistic and selfish every time.”
Paul also speaks to us regarding this issue in II Corinthians:
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:6-7 (NIV)
Proverbs also tells us:
24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 26 People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. Prov 11:24-26 (NIV)
These verses encourage a life of generosity. I love what the Bible Knowledge Commentary states about them:
“By giving freely a person has plenty, a seeming paradox (cf. 2 Cor. 9:6). Conversely a person who is miserly, failing to help others in obvious need, will himself always be in need (cf. 28:22). By being generous (Prov. 11:25) a person prospers and is in turn helped (cf. v. 17). Grain (v. 26) in a farming society was a major medium of exchange; hoarding it could drastically affect prices. But a person who sold his grain and did not hoard it was a blessing to others.”
God’s ways are not the world’s ways. What comes natural to us is usually the opposite of how God works – i.e. God desires for us to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, die to live, give to get, and on and on it goes - I am sure you get the picture here. It is a great paradox requiring faith to flesh out. It actually boils down to do we believe what He says is true? If we do believe, then we will act accordingly and be blessed accordingly. I am confident I have missed many blessings that He desired for me to have because of my own poor choices. Our choices do make a difference in our lives! God also desires for us to give to show our love to others. Jesus tells us:
Freely you have received, freely give. Matt 10:8 (NIV)
“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” Amy Carmichael
“Our actions disclose what goes on within us, just as its fruit makes known a tree otherwise unknown to us.” Thalassios the Libyan
“We are to do acts of kindness to those that least of all deserve it.” William Law
Scripture is replete with commands regarding our giving. One of my very favorite is also found in Luke:
38 Give, and it will be given to you . A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 (NIV)
“Every act of compassion done for his fellow Christian is done by Christ working in him.” Julian of Norwich
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Cor 9:8 (NIV)