McCheyne’s Bible Reading Plan: Lev 7, Ps 7-8, Pr 22, 1 Thes 1
Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor. (Pr 22:9)
Generosity is nothing more than a working out of what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. We must learn to see that others, particularly brothers and sisters in the faith, are connected to us. They are family. The New Testament describes us as “members one of another.” Similarly, we are reminded to consider the graciousness of God to us when we were far from him and likewise practice that graciousness toward those who are far from us, i.e., outside the faith.
To live out this kind of generosity is completely counter to our culture and so very hard even as I think about it. I see lots of people volunteering in the world and giving to relief organizations, but there is a often a sense of doing it because it makes them feel better about themselves. There is little – if any – real understanding of the connection that we have with those in need. I am convinced that the kind of graciousness and love that we are to show to others can only come as we lean more and more heavily on Christ, learning to trust God for his provision as we walk by faith and not by sight.
