Why is giving so emphasized in the Christian faith?

Response

Our Lord is a generous God. He is a God of plenty (John 10:10;James 1:5;Psalm 103:8;Isaiah 55:1-7;2 Corinthians 9:8;Romans 5:20), and He delights in giving. He willingly gave Himself on the cross and then welcomed us into a full life. As His children, we are urged to mimic Him “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;”, (Ephesians 5:1). Our act of giving generously showcases God’s nature and is a response to His actions towards us.

Believers are a beacon to the world (Matthew 5:14-16). As we grow into the likeness of who God has called us to be – more like Him – through the sanctification process, we mirror God more and more. We become more loving, more merciful, and, indeed, more giving. Since God is bountiful, we are also urged to be generous. Generosity not only directs others to God, but it is a fitting reaction to what God has accomplished for us.

“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” This has become a popular saying in Western culture. Its biblical foundation is in Luke 12:48. Because we have been lavishly loved, we now love others “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”, (John 13:34). Because we have been forgiven, we forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35). Our response to God’s abundance towards us is to share that abundance with others. When we properly receive God’s generosity, it humbles us. We realizeRecognize that we are unworthy of His gift. Out of gratitude, we become more generous with others. We start to understand the heart of God and desire to emulate Him.

Generosity has positive impacts on human relationships. When one person gives freely to another, the recipient often passes on the gift. In the Christian life, the motivation is even stronger. Jesus taught us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” «I have shown you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. », (Acts 20:35).

Not only does our giving showcase God’s character to the world, but it also leads to increased faith for us. When we are willing to give, we affirm that our faith is not reliant on material possessions. Instead, we demonstrate that our faith rests in God, who always provides (1 Kings 17:7-16).

Christians are generous individuals, and in their giving, they lose nothing. As Bunyan wrote, “A man there was, though some did count him mad, / The more he cast away the more he had.” When we give, we empty ourselves to be replenished by God. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” «give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. », (Luke 6:38).