Generosity Is Powerful
Lately in my Bible studies, I have noticed something I never have before. God asks His people to share their food… A LOT. In fact, most of the celebrations and ceremonies they were instructed to perform in the Old Testament involved gathering together and sharing their harvest with one another and the poor around them. His children having an “open plate” is so important to God that He even uses it as one of the ways to measure righteousness. In the Lord’s eyes, how well we open our pantry doors for our neighbors points to how deeply we trust Him to provide for us. (Both faith and sacrificial love are qualities God looks for in His true followers. See John 13:35, Hebrews 11:6)
I took note of some passages where the Lord specifically instructs us to share our food and here are a few. Trust me, there were many more examples!
“‘But if a man is righteous (keeps the law) and practices justice and righteousness… if a man does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, if he walks in My statutes and [keeps] My ordinances so as to act with integrity; [then] he is [truly] righteous and shall certainly live,’ says the Lord God.” - Ezekiel 18:5, 7-9 Amplified
“This is the kind of fast that I desire: Remove the heavy chains of oppression! Stop exploiting your workers! Set free the crushed and mistreated! Break off every yoke of bondage! Share your food with the hungry! Provide for the homeless and bring them into your home! Clothe the naked! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood!”
- Isaiah 59:6-7 the Passion Translation
The wisdom of Proverbs instructs us: “Is your enemy hungry? Buy him lunch. Win him over with your kindness. Your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience and God will reward you with favor. (Proverbs 25:21-22 the Passion Translation)”
Jesus continued this same sentiment when, after teaching a multitude of people all afternoon outside in the heat, He refused to send them away to scrounge up their own food. Instead, He offered up the little food they did have and asked His Heavenly Father to multiply it.
“Later that afternoon the disciples came to Jesus and said, ’It’s going to be dark soon and the people are hungry, but there’s nothing to eat here in this desolate place. You should send the crowds away to the nearby villages to buy themselves some food.’
‘They don’t need to leave,’ Jesus responded. ‘You can give them something to eat.’
They answered, ‘But all we have is five barley loaves and two fish.’
‘Let me have them,’ Jesus replied. Then he had everyone sit down on the grass and he then took the five loaves and two fish. He looked up into heaven, gave thanks to God, and broke the bread into pieces. He then gave it to his disciples, who in turn gave it to the crowds. And everyone ate until they were satisfied, for the food was multiplied in front of their eyes! They picked up the leftovers and filled up twelve baskets full! There were about five thousand men who were fed, in addition to many women and children!”
- Matthew 14:15-21 the Passion Translation
And finally, while Paul was not specifically talking about food in this next verse, he did instruct the early church in Corinth about the kind of generosity that pleases God. It’s worth noting that one of the many things believers shared with one another around this time was food. As a church, they served each other and made sure no one in their community went hungry: “Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 CSB)”
Why is sharing food such a big deal to God? Well, I believe it is because food is personal. The meals we prepare are flavored uniquely, often reflecting our culture and family traditions. Whether we buy ingredients from the grocery store, grow them in our backyards, or dine at a restaurant - hard work goes into either affording it or cultivating it. And, in all honesty, keeping our families fed is a tremendous responsibility. In times of strain, sharing from the little bit in our pantry can feel like a big risk when we’re struggling to “make ends meet.” God knows all of this. He knows all about the work, love, and sentiment that goes into the meals on our tables.
Personally, I have a deep appreciation for food. Many nights as I sit down to eat a full plate, I remember some of the seasons in my childhood when things were scarce. I will never forget the hunger I felt nor the tough lessons it taught me. I also have Caribbean roots, so nothing is ever spicy enough for me. I love chicken curry, and I wholeheartedly believe that almost everything tastes better with jalapeños or hot sauce sprinkled in. The smell of simmering bell peppers makes me smile. Jamaican beef patties always seem to skip my stomach and settle right into my soul! The same goes for fried plantains! One of the main reasons I lead an active lifestyle is so that I can eat more of the meals I love, ha! Cooking my favorite food is a quick way to my heart. And, trying to take food off of my plate is a quick way to land yourself in the ER with a fork in your hand (just kidding… mostly).
So, using God’s standard for generosity, how do you hold up? When money is tight, our survival instincts can go into over-drive, telling us to hoard resources for the sake of ourselves and loved ones. I have felt this same way, too. Since then, God has issued a challenge to me that I would like to share with you. God challenged me to live what I say that I believe.
Here is what I mean by that:
I believe I am a child of God. I will live this out by daily trusting Him to provide for my needs. (Psalms 23:1)
I believe every person was created by God and is precious in His sight. I will live this out by treating people with the warmth and care I show to my family…because if God loves them, so should I. .
I believe God showed me incredible grace when He sent Jesus to pay the price for my sins and give me life. I will live out this belief by giving all I can, every chance I get, for His glory.
Friend, what we really believe to be true never just stays hidden on the inside of us. Beliefs start as ideas, then become passions, and lead to action. Those who believe Gospel will always live the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 4:20 in the NIV says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
I love how the Message phrases this as well: “God’s way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.”
Giving takes trust, and forces us to literally “put our money where our mouth is.” In my mind, I imagine it this way: when I tell God in prayer that I trust Him, I can almost hear Him say with a knowing smile “prove it.” He knows that He has all of my needs completely covered… but do I know that? How deeply do I believe it? Do I believe it enough that I demonstrate it? I can be honest and say… not always. Like everyone else, I’m learning and growing in this area!
Verses like this one are helping me to become a more generous person:
“Every time you give to the poor you make a loan to the Lord. Don’t worry—you’ll be repaid in full for all the good you’ve done.” - Proverbs 19:17 TPT
Stinginess comes so naturally for most of us, but never occurs within the heart of God at all. He created the plants and creatures of the earth, and then graciously gave them to us to use at our whim for our nourishment. Then, after our sin tainted us and everything we touched, He sacrificed His own blood to redeem us. God is generous to the CORE.
In a book I have been reading, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Quireshi shares a stunning truth: “we matter more to God than His majesty does.” The spaces in my heart and mind that cling to what is precious to me and say “MINE” are convicted by this powerful statement. Jesus willingly and happily gave up His majesty in Heaven to show us God’s love. He stepped down from bliss and splendor, right into the midst of the gigantic mess we humans made on the earth. He endured our hatred, suffered our hostility, and showed us only pure love. His clothes were stripped from His body, and His skin was torn from His back by whips… all for us. Jesus is generous to the CORE. Like Father, like Son.
I want to be generous like my Father in Heaven.
I want to be generous like my Savior.
They love people more than anything… so how can I live for them and not do the same?
Give with every area of your life. Give grace freely. Give compassion. Give forgiveness. Give thoughtful, loving honesty. Give advice when it’s asked for. Give support. Give people your time and attention. Give space and understanding. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Give encouragement. Give comfort. Give a shoulder to lean on and a hand to hold. Give people an opportunity if you’re in a position to. This is how we develop lives that are full, rich, and abundant! Open your heart, your plate, your pockets, your life, and make room for others.
It’s no coincidence that Jesus taught about love and generosity in the same lesson… people who love well also share well:
“Jesus said, ‘Forsake the habit of criticizing and judging others, and you will not be criticized and judged in return. Don’t condemn others and you will not be condemned. Forgive over and over, and you will be forgiven over and over. Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! The measurement of your generosity becomes the measurement of your return.” - Luke 6:37-38 TPT
A personal hero of mine is Dr. Maya Angelou. Aside from her incredible writing, Maya was known for her hospitality and her cooking. Friends of hers whose books I have read often recall the dinners she hosted throughout the decades. Her home was always full of people, laughter, and story telling. According to her guests, her cooking was phenomenal and after eating, everyone would talk late into the night. Now, I’m not the best cook in the world, but the thought of a home filled with friends all enjoying each other’s company captivates me. I would love to be the kind of person who is this welcoming and lets people feel at home in my home. I don’t want to ever make anyone feel like a burden, I want to be a friend people always know they can call.
How about you? Let’s accept God’s challenge to be generous and see how full our lives become!
“No one has ever become poor by giving.”
- Anne Frank
Let’s pray together, shall we?
“God, please help me to have an open plate and an open heart! I give You my life. Please direct me and teach me how to be a generous person in everything I do. Empower me to cherish those around me and welcome others around my table without counting the cost. I want to enrich the lives of others, and I know my own life will be enriched in return. I know You see every sacrifice, and You will provide for us all. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
