One of my favorite stories in the Bible is one about a woman with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume. Matthew 26:6-13 tells us that when she poured it over Jesus’ head, his disciples were indignant when they saw it and called it a “waste.” The truth is, Jesus commended the woman and said that her deed will be remembered and discussed. This woman teaches us the virtue of “wasting” our life on Jesus Christ. The virtue we know as generosity. Generosity is more about our hearts than our money. It’s freely giving away what God has deposited in our lives for the benefit of others and His kingdom.
What is generosity? Generosity is:
1. Finding pleasure in enriching the lives of others. Why would you give your most treasured possession away? When the value of giving outweighs the value of the gift.
Romans 12:1 (ncv) “So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship.”
2. Organizing our lives so God can spend us. As parents we get this principle, we often find ourselves re-prioritizing and organizing our lives for the betterment of our families. In the same manner, we have no greater purpose than when we discover that we are God’s resource for influencing and transforming the lives of those around us.
Proverbs 29:18 (The Message) “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.”
3. Ultimately giving to God and to others, as an act of love towards God. The Bible reminds us that whatever we do we should do to His honor. It is our most reasonable sacrifice.
John 15:1 (nlt) “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.”
Notice – when we spend the best of ourselves on Him, it will always be remembered and rewarded. What has God placed in your hand, or in your heart? If you are fortunate to have “flow,” “cash,” or “bling” – then be a blessing to others. Perhaps you can offer an encouraging word or act in a kind way, then let God use you in someone else’s life. We can’t be generous with closed fists or closed hearts. Let’s freely give, be generous with love, and forever waste all that we are upon Him.
