Generosity

Christmas, a time when God gave freely and generously, has become a time of galloping greed and selfishness. In Romans 7 the Apostle Paul mentions that the purpose of The Law is to inform us about things that we would otherwise not know, such as the fact that covetousness is wrong. Christmas proves his point. We can make covetousness a virtue at Christmas.

In the mind of God, generosity rather than greed is a virtue to be promoted and encouraged. Covetousness is natural, normal and basic to human nature. Generosity, on the other hand, is the result of a spiritual conversion.

Scrooge epitomizes greed and coveting while Jesus came to earth to serve others. The One who came to give told us that a life of Scrooge was empty but a life of giving was blessed. In Luke 6:38 Jesus talked about the power of giving.

37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

It is natural to judge others. It makes us feel good about ourselves to put others down. When we see someone who is mentally, emotionally or socially inept it feels so good to laugh at them and look down upon them. To stand above is one way for an insecure person to feel big. However, the result is condemnation and judgment for ourselves. Giving grace sows grace but sowing condemnation sows a bitter harvest.

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."

This expands the concept of giving into all areas of life. It has financial, relational and spiritual components. When I was a child I discovered that judgmentalism brought friends but as I got older I found the opposite. Mature people are not drawn to those who attack because they know that the attacker will turn on them as soon as possible.

But generous people prosper in every way. It is said that, "God loves a cheerful giver." He shares His love and joy with a giver. Look at the change in Scrooge's demeanor after he was converted and began to give. Who is your model this Christmas?

May the God of all grace give you His heart of generosity this Christmas.