Generosity is at the heart of God. As He is loving, kind, merciful, and just, He is also generous. He is the giver of all good gifts, and He is faithful to meet our needs.

Jesus teaches His followers to be generous. The following are some of the things He wants us to know and follow.

First, God is the author of generosity. Every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). God gives us all the things we need. The planet we live on makes that plain. Everything works perfectly for us to have air to breathe, water to drink, and food to eat. Spring time and harvest follow exactly as they should.

God generously gives all these things. He wants us to learn from Him and practice generosity as He does.

Second, God blesses us, and He wants us to use His blessings to bless others. John put this in highly practical terms: “If anyone has material possessions  and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 John 3:17).

Third, we are stewards not owners. God desires that we use “His” resources responsibly for the good of others. Jesus asked about the use of material possessions: “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11). God wants to give us His true riches. We are responsible for how we use our worldly wealth.

Fourth, Jesus showed us that generosity is a heart issue. What we are inside will inevitably show up on the outside. He reminded the pharisees that though they justify themselves in the eyes of men, “God knows your hearts” (Luke 16:15).

Finally, Jesus teaches us not to value the wrong things. This may be our greatest sin. Instead of valuing the eternal, we hang on to those things which are passing away. We treasure that which is only for a season and think lightly of eternal principles. “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight” (Luke 16:15).

Jesus teaches us to learn God’s true treasures and use them to bless others and glorify God.

May we seek to be generous in all things and learn to be faithful on earth as God is in heaven.

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