A number of people have written comments about giving and generosity, that help us see the benefits of having a generous nature. There is no doubt that God is the greatest Giver. He gave His only begotten Son that we might live (John 3:16). Some people have a terribly wrong concept of God as Giver. Some think that Jesus died for the sins of the world and now sin has disappeared and nobody can sin. God is not a foolish Giver, there is a great deal of thought and wisdom involved in the gifts God gives. He is very generous, though, even to those who do not deserve His generosity.
Irma Kurtz wrote: "Givers have to set limits because takers rarely do!" The Dalai Lama wrote: "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." Jesse Jackson wrote: "Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up." Most people who recognize that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) will err on the side of being too generous and too quick to give. There are people in our society who make a good living by reaching a hand out for help. Most people are quite generous when they see a true need, but it is not always easy to recognize when the one asking is genuinely in need.
Paul spoke for himself when he said that he worked at a job in order not to ask for financial help from the brethren (Acts 20:34) but he also expressed the need for them to support the weak. He was referring to the weak among them in the church. One would expect honesty and humility when a weak member is seeking help and we should be eager to help when we can. Paul used a slightly different and more detailed example when writing to other churches. He was concerned about wicked men and told members to withdraw from any who walked disorderly and not according to the traditions he had delivered. Paul went on to say that he had set the example by not eating anyone's bread free of charge, but he worked hard so as not to be a burden to the members. No doubt Paul was not alone in his travels. His final point was that if a person will not work, neither shall he eat (2 Thess. 3:6-13). There were some in the church that were quick to take advantage of the generosity of others. Paul was clear on his teaching of generosity among members of the church and the principle applies to non-members as well.
In our society, the needy can receive support from the government. These are taxpayers' dollars that are given to prevent poverty. Experience has shown that dependence on the generosity of the government can lead to generation after generation remaining on government assistance. That is not healthy for the person or for the society. God wants a person to have some respect for themselves. That is a healthy mental condition. But we do have the poor among us always. Some are poor due to bad health, some due to an economic downturn, some due to foolishness, some due to a job loss and some due to circumstances out of their control like war or an accident. However, some are poor because they refuse to learn how to budget or use money wisely. Some are poor because they lust for things they cannot afford - but buy them anyway. There are calculated efforts made by sales experts to invent a good reason a person "must have" some item they are selling. Some feel they need to keep up an appearance of success. We will always have people about us who are in need and we will always want to help. Wisdom is something that God requires of us along with a generous spirit. Jesus spoke highly of generosity. It can take various forms. He spoke of those who gave food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, room to the stranger, clothing to the naked, and visits to the sick or in prison as though they were doing that directly to Him (Matt. 25:35-40). In this account Jesus was speaking directly about the brethren - even the least of them. All the words of Jesus are correct and lead to blessings, but there were always those among the brethren who were false brethren and who were greedy.
Paul wrote about the members of the church in Corinth. He was in tears sometimes due to their behaviour. Paul knew people need to work to overcome every flaw in their character and it could take a lot of time, but time is also precious since our life could end. Paul noted the contentions or verbal challenges that existed (I Cor. 1:11). He had to speak to them as carnal and babes in Christ due to the divisions that existed (I Cor. 3:1.3). Some were boastful (I Cor. 4:7-10). Some were puffed up (I Cor. 4:18). Sexual immoral conduct was present in some (I Cor. 5:1,2). Some brethren were covetous, immoral, idolaters, revilers, drunkards or extortioners (I Cor. 5:11). It hurts to know that there actually were members of the church attending in Corinth with that sort of mindset and character flaws. However, that is a fact of life when people come together and so generosity requires wisdom and prudence.
When there is a clear need, the heart of a generous person is quickly and strongly touched. We will make mistakes in giving and sometimes regret a gift, but that must be put aside. The attitude of generosity is a godly one, so it is always present in our lives. When we genuinely see a need and we are in a position to help, we cannot turn away. Paul wrote about the generosity of the brethren in Macedonia. It was a poor region and there were not many wealthy. They gave according to their ability and beyond that toward ministering to the saints or the work of God. First of all, they gave themselves to God and felt blessed for that (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Paul was encouraging the Corinthians to complete their promise of giving. He did not ask for that which they did not have, but that which they had and pledged or promised (2 Cor. 8:12-14). Paul wanted the brethren to make sure they were happy to give and were giving as they were able. He stated that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:6,7). We can only be cheerful givers if we see a genuine need and are in a position to help.
God inspired writers of the Bible to encourage us to always be ready to help a brother in need. We are to give the things they "need" when we can (James 2:15-17). John wrote that if we possess this world's goods and see a brother in need, but do not offer assistance, the love of God is missing in our hearts (I John 2:17). However, there will always come a time when we see a brother seemingly in need and we help even though that brother does not deserve help. When we express the love for one another as Jesus commanded (I John 3:16) we would be just as anxious not to take advantage of one who is generous. Love is a two-way street among the followers of Jesus Christ. It is not always easy to accept a gift, but when the need is real, it is also foolish to refuse needed help. It is more blessed to give than to receive and as Jesus said, we must support the weak (Acts 20:35). However, there is always the important factor of being wise in all cases.
God has given His people the commission to preach the gospel to all the world. That is where our resources and efforts must be focussed. We are often surrounded by charities that may have a good cause, but that are always in need of funds. There too we must be wise. The bulk of our generosity ought to go towards the church brethren around the world. But it is right to give to charities at home too. Sadly enough not all charities truly benefit others, so some choices must be made. We will certainly be disappointed in our generosity at times, but those experiences should only serve to make us wise with our generosity.
There have always been wealthy people called into the fellowship of Christ. Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy man who could go to ask for the body of Jesus and buy the needed cloth and spices and fragrant oils with which to wrap Jesus' body. Jesus was to be laid in the tomb of a rich man - most likely Joseph owned that tomb. That was an act of generosity that only a wealthy person could make. Being generous is more that giving money. Generosity is a mindset that gives time, love, acts of kindness and more when there is a need. God is watching His children. Let us be pleasing to Him.