Chapter 27

All Christians are recipients of God’s favor. God has been generous to all people, but not to an equal degree. Generosity helps close the gap between those who have much and those who have little. The first few biblical texts come from the OT book of Deuteronomy, or “second law,” which imposed two obligations on the people of God concerning generosity. The first was to remember that their life in the Promised Land was a gift. The abundance they received did not originate with them. Gratitude was an appropriate and worthy response to those gifts. The second was to steward those gifts for the sake of others. Thus the second law demanded that God’s people both tithe and care for the poor. Early Christians didn’t practice the tithe, which belonged, they concluded, to the old dispensation. Instead, Paul exhorted believers in Corinth to be generous. They received much; they were to give much. The proper standard was not the tithe but the example of Jesus who, though rich, became poor for our sake. What do you learn about riches and generosity in Deuteronomy 6:1-15; 14:22-29; 15:1-11 and in II Corinthians 8:1-15? The Gospel of Luke focuses on riches more than the other Gospels. Luke warns about the danger of riches, but he also recognizes the opportunity of riches. Riches are not the real problem. It’s attitude and use.

Luke 12:13-21; 16:1-9; 16:19-31; 19:1-10

There are two parts to the spiritual exercise for this chapter. The first is to practice gratitude. Spend a few moments every day contemplating the many gifts God has given to you and thank God for them. The second is to take an inventory of those gifts. In short, what are your “assets”? It could be financial resources, talents, skills, relationships, networks, experiences, and education. What gifts, broadly understood, has God given to you? Make a list. How can you steward these gifts? How can you become generous with them? Notice that the two stories you read from Luke about the dangers of riches do not condemn riches. They condemn the failure to be generous. There is nothing morally wrong with riches, assuming we come to them honestly. What might it mean for you to become a generous person?

What did you learn from the chapter, the Bible study, and the spiritual exercise about wealth and generosity? Did they challenge you to expand your definition of wealth? Why is this topic so difficult for westerners? How do you struggle with it? What are your riches? How can you become more generous? What holds you back?

Matthew 6:19-21