Rejoicing in Generosity - day 37

When we were young believers, most of us needed some guidance. God saved us and then we had to figure out what came next. It’s precisely at this moment of time that I treasure the people who encouraged me in what was right. Telling me to sit down and regularly read the Word, pray to God, seek fellowship with other believers. Vital acts. If it weren’t for this kind of godly encouragement I don’t know where I would be.

As believers, we need this kind of encouragement in relation to our generosity as well. In 1 Chronicles, Chapter 29, the people are called to give to the work of building the temple. The people gave generously and the Scriptures record that “the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD.” The people might have resisted, lamenting all the treasure that was given to this project. But, believing in the cause, they rejoiced to see their leaders responding so generously. To some extent, it must also have been encouraging to the leaders. They were responding generously in faith, giving from the treasure with which they were entrusted. There surely was potential for fear of man to creep in and prevent them from their generosity. But, they used their leadership to honor God generously and the people rejoiced.

We, too, have this same ability to influence and encourage generosity in others. Toward our church leaders, we can encourage them for the commitment they have made in being generous. We can support them when they have made important sacrifices in that generosity to God. In our relationships of any kind, let us be as quick to encourage someone in their generosity as we would their humility or knowledge of the Word.