Win them with Generosity

Today’s scripture:

Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. (Proverbs 19:6 ESV)

The Lord Jesus is always in pursuit of our hearts and does not wish anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). In the verse above, God tells us how to win the hearts of others by being generous to them and through our generosity to them may win them to Christ and eternal life.

Think about that gift of eternal life for a moment. If you are living your life for Jesus, you never have to worry where you will spend the rest of your life after death. A gift of $100 on your birthday is a good gift, a gift of a 5-year membership at the country club is even better, or even a brand new Mercedes Benz or a 5 bedroom home on the lake is even better yet. But all those things will have an end to them. The $100 within a week will be spent, the membership at the club will be finished in 5 years, the new car will be rusted out in 20+ years and the new home will have lost its newness and excitement. However, your eternal life will last forever, no more pain or sorrow will be in existence, and you will never be in need of anything, being totally content in everything forever and ultimately being forever in the warm arms of Jesus! Now that’s a gift!!!

Some might think that is not truly love when it is about just trying to win them to the kingdom. But if you saw someone walking in the dark towards a 1,000 ft. drop off a cliff, you would do whatever it took to get them to turn around to save them from falling to a horrible end. What is the difference when you really consider the reality of heaven and hell?

Today we are looking into the tenth topic on the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus is teaching, which is “Generousness”. In Matthew 5:42, Jesus says “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Jesus tells us not to worry, “but when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,”(Matthew 6:3). In other words, don’t get all caught up in keeping track on how much you give and what you give, rather give as you can and when you see a need to be met, then fill that need.

Luke 6:38 says “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” I find it interesting to know that when we give, it will be given to us. That is so true in many ways. See, it is all part of the fact that what you will sow, that you will also reap (2 Corinthians 9:6).

One time, I was living in a trailer for the purpose of ministering to those who were poverty stricken and in need of much. Well, it wasn’t long after I moved in that the colder months crept up on me and up till then I did not have a furnace. I did have a very good sleeping bag that kept me warm for the beginning fall season but soon I would need heat and I had no money to purchase one. I had someone tell me they would donate one and install it at no cost. I was so happy, but then I heard about this single mom with 4 kids have the same situation! It was obvious they would need it more than I would. So, I had made arrangements to give them the furnace I was offered, within a few moments, God provided someone else to donate another furnace to the single mom and I received a wonderful furnace. See, I believe God was testing me to see if I would freely give and trust that He would provide for my needs and He did! Praise the Lord Jesus!

Reflection:

It is the attitude of a selflessness that shines when you freely give as you see needs that need to be met. I believe when we become aware of needs that need filled, that is our golden opportunity to shine God’s love on the needy and to win their hearts with generosity. It also, is a chance to win them to Jesus! You can be such an incredible blessing in someone’s life when they are in such need. Have you ever been in need like that? If you have, you know what a blessing it is to you.

Challenge:

Try and be aware of people’s needs around you this next few days, being ready to say “Here I am Lord, send me”. It may even hurt a little to give but always trust and know that God will provide just like He provided my furnace.

-Doug McGowan