Generous Giving
Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 15-16; John 12:27-50
Bring all the tithes . . . so that . . . the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows . . . may come and eat and be satisfied. Deuteronomy 14:28-29
Today's Scripture: Deuteronomy 14:23-29
Insight
Scripture reveals that God has been generous to us and calls us to be generous to others (Deuteronomy 14:29). The ultimate way that He’s demonstrated His generosity is in the giving of His Son. In Philippians 2, Paul says that Jesus “gave up his divine privileges; . . . he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (v. 7 nlt). Then “he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (v. 8 nlt). All that we have comes from God, our generous creator. In response, He’ll help us give freely to others.
When Oswald and Biddy Chambers ran a Bible college in London from 1911 to 1915, they continued with their life principle of not turning away those in need. Astute Londoners were aghast at this practice, thinking the college would be taken advantage of. In response, Oswald observed, without inviting others to follow in the practice, “My responsibility is to give. God will look after who asks.”
The couple followed the example of our generous Creator. Through His instructions to Moses, God laid out gracious ways for His people to live and serve others, including the giving of their food and possessions. Moses told the Israelites at the end of every three years to “bring all the tithes” so the Levites, “foreigners, the fatherless and the widows,” could come and “eat and be satisfied” (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Through the generosity of His people, God cares for the vulnerable.
The Chambers’ trust in God was so strong that they gave willingly and without question. They’d learned to “revere . . . God always” (v. 23) and receive His blessing “in all the work of [their] hands” (v. 29).
We may also feel inspired to give freely while we lean on God for wisdom and discernment. We know that God will generously lead and guide as He provides for the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows.
Reflect & Pray
What’s your view and practice of giving? How has God provided for your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs?
Generous God, I look to You for all I need. I know that You’re the source of all good things. I worship You.