Generosity: A Mark of Authenticity

Generosity is a foundational value found in followers of Jesus. Because generosity is a core value demonstrated and taught by Jesus his disciples ought to embrace and practice liberality consistently.

Jesus’ teaching was blunt and forceful. He taught, "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) The parable of the man victimized by thieves and ignored by the religious establishment reprimanded those who withheld their gifts of comfort and help. The generous Samaritan was placed in opposition to the "I-don’t-care-stinginess" of those who took comfort in their orthodox legalism while disconnecting behavior from the nature of God who is full of compassion.

Following World War Two, George Marshall was invited to make a speech before scholars at Harvard University. On June 5, 1947, Mr. Marshall laid out a plan of national generosity which became commonly known as "The Marshall Plan." America’s World War Two enemies were restored to economic stability and foes became friends in one generation. Missionary societies and benevolent ministries based in the United States have unselfishly poured billions of dollars into the less fortunate and impoverished around the world. And God has blessed our nation because of that liberality.

In 1992 we were privileged under God to establish Vailsburg Assembly of God. Within the first six months we convened a missions convention and began teaching the infant church how to give generously. We recently learned that the congregation will give more than $100,000 in support of missions around the world in 2014. It is obvious that because of generosity God’s blessing causes the church to thrive in every measurable way.

The parable of the last judgment in Matthew 25 is one of His last before the crucifixion. People who appeared at the judgment were separated right and left and sent them away as one separating sheep and goats based on how they invested or failed to invest in others. A careful re-reading of the story always sobers me. How we treat people is important to Jesus and ought to be of highest priority to anyone claiming to follow Him.

I am troubled when I hear those who are sincerely following Jesus carelessly and without compassion rail against those who benefit from generosity. I am troubled because –
I can find no occasion when Jesus berated a person for being poor, ill or in need of help. Rather, Jesus used each occasion to demonstrate forgiveness, compassion and His willingness to improve the lot of those who were helpless to improve their lot in life.
No one has anything of any value which did not originate in the heart of a compassionate and forgiving God. Grace is "unmerited, undeserved blessing."
The excuse to refuse help because someone is "using the system" is a worthy risk, especially if one takes seriously Jesus’ assurance, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers." For someone to "use the system" because of laziness or other sinful choices may reduce that person to the "least of these," but, the promise of "inheritance, the kingdom!"
Each of the actions Jesus affirmed in His explanation of the judgment is a personal, people-touching action. Caring for people may be organized but is not at its best when it is institutionalized. In a hurry-up, growth and promotion oriented world, caring for others is usually inconvenient.
Generous compassion has been a hallmark of Jesus’ disciples through the ages. Love is always a giving action. Missions cannot be reduced to a budget number, but an expression of generosity, liberality and deep compassion flowing from deep within the heart of an individual and a congregation.

Pastors serve their congregations well when they create many opportunities to hear of needs and then lead the congregation in an appropriate response. The church that formed me in my youth did that and many of us have given our entire adult lives in God-called service as a result. The legacy of the church is known on several continents! The church thrives and will soon celebrate her 75^th anniversary of giving, serving, expressing the heart of Jesus to a world stumbling under the weight known to "the least of these my brothers."



"Stingy Christian" is an oxymoron, a world-class contradiction. Jesus taught his disciples in the shadow of the Last Supper, Gethsemane and the cross, How you treat people, your generosity in meeting human need, is a serious consideration at the judgment.