“Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night.” – Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 (MSG)
Giving to others who are need is an essential and important aspect of the expression of love to others that Christians should practice daily. In Acts 10, Cornelius was recorded to be a man who gave alms generously to the people, even though he didn’t know Christ, but he lived based on the limited knowledge of God he had.
No matter how spiritually conservative you are, you can never remove generosity towards the needy from the Christian faith. And this is one spice of the Christian faith. Unbelievers give to the needy as well but Christians do not give to boast or become lords over the people, we give to honour God. Jesus taught His disciples this act and it was not a surprise when the early Church grew to be a Church that gives generously.
Every giving is rewarding, no matter how little. No matter what you have experienced in life from people, do not shut your bowels of mercy and compassion against those who are in need. At one level or another, people around us will be in need and if it is in our capacity to give, we must do it cheerfully.
Whatever you sow shall be reaped in multiple folds and this same principle applies when you give to the needy. God is delighted with you when you show mercy and compassion to those who are in need of that which you have. You must understand that everyone around you is there for a purpose. And it’s ń only money you can give that will count. You can give counsel, material possessions, even your time in prayer for those who are going through difficult times. Whatever you give holds value and weight for a reward.
Reflections: Am I a generous giver? Are people around happy to have me with them? What positive have I added to people’s lives?
Confession: My heart is full of compassion and mercy for the needy around me. I do not hoard that which God has blessed me with. I live as a blessing to others always.
Related Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 11:1-5; Acts 10:1-2
Bible Reading: Genesis 8
