March 16, 2025 -Generous Giving

DEUTERONOMY 13:1-16:17

Chronological Bible Readings

Deuteronomy 15:7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.

We can apply this to our fellow Christians. If we think of all believers as part of the same body that we are part of then why would we withhold anything from the body? I would take this a step further, that we don't have to wait for someone ask for help. When we see someone in need we should be openhanded and willing to give freely whatever they need.

15:10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

And when we give it should be with a generous heart. I can say from experience that the only way to truly be a joyful giver is to give expecting to never receive it back. Even if someone says that they will pay it back, I don't hold onto that thought. I genuinely forget about it and give it as a gift in my heart. Whenever possible I like to give anonymously so that it can't be returned to me and I know others who do the same. When we give without a grudging heart we are trusting God to use it for His good purpose in the life of that person and the body of Christ and to provide our needs as well as we give what we have for the benefit of others.