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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GENEROUS (10/14/21)
Within the body of Christ the issue of wealth has always been a contentious one. While many are quick to reference the manner in which the early church community had all things in common and gave willingly to those in need, there is also the unfortunate record of Ananias and Sapphira who misrepresented the degree of their sacrifice in a very misguided attempt to achieve a level of honor in the community which they hadn't earned. The early church, like us today, had the same challenge to balance out honoring God with wealth while maintaining personal security at the same time. What we possess, how we use what we have, and the manner in which we choose to give to others has always created suspicion, pressure, hurt feelings and any other manner of challenges.

Jesus, as always, got to the core of the matter when he explained that our heart and that which we treasure most will always be intimately connected. Security systems, car alarms, and bank vaults all exist because we desire to keep what we have and prevent others from taking it away. Financial instruments are often referred to as securities because they promise the peace of mind that comes from having sufficient monetary funds for both current demand and any unexpected requirements in the future. The more we have, the more we assume that the future will not find us penniless and begging for our daily bread.

In the midst of this conundrum, we are challenged with the Biblical command to give of what we have first to God and then to others in need. The command to give pushes directly against our desire for security and rest in what we possess. In addition, we worry that we will be bilked out of what we give. There is always that slight doubt in the back of our minds that those we give to are conning us and that what we give will not be used properly. Fear of being duped, of having been shown that we wasted our hard-earned funds, very often paralyzes us and keeps us from doing much good with what God has blessed us.

God desires not only that we give, but that we do so liberally. Just as the Apostle Paul spoke of using his life up so that there was nothing left to give, our calling from God is to use all that he has blessed us with because we can’t take any with us when we die. Everything we own is temporary and worldly riches are only useful when they are being used as a blessing. The Bible clearly warns that those who desire only to pile up riches for themselves will be harshly judged and that how we handle worldly wealth is a clear indicator of our capability of handling spiritual wealth. Being generous reflects the heart of our father God who gave his only son to die for our sins and to make a way for us to have eternal life. Giving liberally will always be hard, but it will also always bring the greatest reward.
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This article has been read 309 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Philippa Geaney
10/23/21
I found your commentary thoughtful and well written.
And encouraging.
Such great formatting too. I try quite hard to enter souffles but sometimes the submission ends up looking like scrambled eggs.
I wonder should I write that here ? :)
Well anyway I felt your article had a lot to offer and was on topic.
Marlene MCPherson
10/29/21
A very good commentary with relevant references.