Hebraic
Musing - How and When Are Christians
to be Generous?
A challenge of being a Christian is that people may try to
take advantage of you, knowing that we are commanded to “Love our
neighbor.” This happens not only to
Christians, but to good, productive people as well. People’s nature tends to be selfish, greedy
and lovers of money, so “have nots” try to glean from the “haves.” And the Bible seems to tell us to give to
others unconditionally. “But whoever has this world's
goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from
him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17 NKJV Note that the brother
is “in need”; not just wanting.
Here’s three distinctly different scenarios.
1. Christians are called to be generous
and help others.
2. Circumstances in which Christians might
not be required to give.
3. Christians are to rebuke those who are
taking advantage of generous people.
1.
The
Bible Commands Us to Be Generous. Generally
speaking, we Christians are called to be givers, generous with the
blessings God gives us. The Bible
teaches that we are to die to self: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34 And
we are instructed in Romans 12:20 – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If
he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on
his head.” NKJV
2. Circumstances in which Christians might not
be required to give. Even
though the Bible commands us to be generous, we are not called to give all we
have, or become poor or needy ourselves in the process. We are called to be good stewards of our
resources. “But if anyone does
not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has
denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Tim.5:8 Even the disciples turned down some
requests: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give
you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts
3:6 We must look past what a person is
asking of us, and see what they truly need. Do they need transportation; money to pay
bills; a job or some lessons in financial stewardship, etc. If you
give a man a fish, he eats for a day. If
you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.
3. Christians are to rebuke those who are
taking advantage of generous people.
The more you do for some people, the more they will ask you to do. Meanwhile, they might be living a life of
sin; being slothful, doing drugs, living in sexual immorality or other sinful
activity. All people go through periods
of need, but the Apostle Paul did not put up with people who tried to take
advantage of others and gave a strong warning for those who were lazy. “If anyone will not work, neither shall he
eat.” 2 Thess. 3:10 This does not
mean people do not have needs today; but there are other resources available
for those in need. We need to ask for
discernment when people are asking. If a
person sitting on the street corner asking for money, should we give, or should
we be asking God what to do? We might actually
buy the food or gas and/or share the gospel.
We need to be on guard against sinful greed or laziness. They might be taking advantage of the fact it
is easier than ask us than to get a job, give up a sin or luxury or other
behaviors. We need to use discernment
when making the choice of whether to give and/or how much to give. We walk a delicate line between helping the
needy and risking being an accomplice or enabler to sin. Maybe we should
listen and obey what the Holy Spirit is telling us to do?
Conclusion: Give to the needy, but Use
Discernment. Be prepared to help
a fellow Christian in need, or even an enemy who has a need. And there are times when we see or sense a Brother
or Sister is in need and they have not asked for help! What an opportunity!
Our
biggest challenge is our own love of money. Jesus dealt with a wealthy man in Mark 10:21-22
“Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have
and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and
come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this
word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” How tight do we hold on to our wealth?
Points to ponder
When/how is
our generosity being abused? When to
say “NO”? What do they really need?
Would a “Christian”
take advantage of a Brother? What does
that Brother really need?
What do we
have that is really “ours”?
Remember, “the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil” 1Tim.6:10
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd November 8, 2022
Author: “Hebraic
Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic Musings” InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com
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