Giving

By Kevin Thompson January 2nd 2022

When the kids were little, I had no problem holding them down for their shots. I had compassion, but I knew the pain was temporary and vital. I could assist the nurse because I knew it was in my children’s best interest. I know others struggle with that process. Even though they know the jabs are essential, they can’t stand the idea of their children in pain. They don’t want to see it and don’t want to be a part of it.

Seconds of pain are better than measles or mumps or hepatitis. We hurt now so we don’t have to hurt later.

Materialism is like an infectious disease—if we get close to it, we can catch it. But there are steps we can take to diminish the threat. Much like the flu vaccine, these actions won’t guarantee immunity from the disease, but they better our chances of avoiding it, and, if we get it, the case may be less severe.

One defense that the Bible provides against materialism is giving.

Giving may be the most counterintuitive act for humanity. In a world that says happiness comes as we possess things, giving something away makes no sense. Yet, that is precisely what God expects us to do. Throughout Scripture, the Bible discusses two types of giving:

Giving to the government.

Giving to God.

Of course, giving to the government is always done by force. Giving to God is done by choice. The former is one of the great guarantees of life. The latter is a form of God’s protection for us. In a world defined by hands grasping for more and more, the Christian faith is defined by people letting go of things and freely giving them to others.

A life of giving does at least two things: 1. It should save us from debt. Christians are taught to live below their means. That’s radically different from a culture that often leads us to spend well beyond our means. 2. It should help save us from materialism. As we live a life of generosity, we train our hearts to value God’s Kingdom more than this world. We seek to save ourselves from a materialistic mindset where identity, value, and purpose are defined by what we possess, and, instead, we seek those things from God Himself.

There are few ways in which we mimic the heart of God as much as when we freely give what we have to others who can’t give to us. As recipients of God’s good gifts, we recognize that everything we own comes from Him, and we cheerfully give to others as a response to what God has given to us.

MARK 12:41-44 (NIV)

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.

44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Reflection Questions:

    1. What is the hope about God?

    2. How is that hope for you?

    3. How can you share hope with others today?