A man in Brazil was recently diagnosed with a case of “extreme generosity.” After a stroke, the change to his brain was a deep desire to give to others. The neurologists found this change to be extraordinary. Does this mean that some part of our brains determines our openness to living generously?
One thing which may hold us back in giving to others is the genuine concern that we might just run out of resources for ourselves. This conservatism is natural. I have relatives from an earlier generation who keep every twisty off every bread bag, in case they need one some time. “Waste not, want not,” is their motto.
I suppose you and I could run out of our finite resources. But we must never think that our infinite God is in short supply. So Paul says, “God is able . . .” That simple phrase is a good place to start our conversation about generosity. God blesses abundantly. He loves to give good gifts to his children, not so that we may store them up but so that we may give them to others. Here is the promise: first, in all things, at all times you will have all that you need. What a comprehensive statement: all, all, all. In all things, at all times you will have all that you need. For what purpose, does God give so abundantly? You will abound in every good work.
God gives generously so that we may be generous. If we choose to keep what he has given for ourselves alone, we may discover that we have crimped the line to receive what God has for us. Be a river, not a holding tank.
