Generosity in Christian preaching emphasizes heartfelt giving as an expression of devotion to God and care for others, going beyond mere obligation to reflect God's grace (2 Corinthians 9:7). Illustrations often use imagery of small gifts noticed by heaven, the flourishing of a giving tree, and unexpected blessings that reward open-handed kindness (Acts 20:35).
Modest benevolence gives anonymously, avoiding praise and seeking true humility.
One of Baron Rothschild’s peculiarities was to conceal his benevolence. He gave away a great deal of money, but if the one who received it ever mentioned the fact so that it came back to the baron’s ears, he never got any more. His contributions to general benevolence were always anonymous or passed through the hands of others. His name never appeared upon any benevolent list.
Generous giving, even from the poor, powerfully supports the gospel's spread.
Rev. A. J. Potter, the “Fighting Parson” of Texas, tells this:
Holding services at a place one time I took up a collection for the support of missions. There was a poor old lady present who I noticed dropt a $5 gold piece in the hat. I knew she was very poor and not able to afford so much, and thought she had intended to throw in a quarter, but made a mistake. So next day I met her husband and said to him: “Look here, your wife put a $5 gold piece in the hat yesterday; I think she must have made a mistake.” “No, no,” he replied, “my wife didn’t make no mistake. She don’t fling often, but, let me tell you, when she flings she flings.”
It is just such “flings” of the generous giver that lend “wings” to the glorious gospel.
Different motives for giving reveal the giver's spiritual condition and love for others.
First, those who give spontaneously and generously, but only to themselves--auto-givers they might be called.
Second, those who give thoughtlessly, without any real or high motive--givers of the occasion, as it were.
Third, those who give as a sop to conscience and self-esteem; in a species of atonement for the evil they do--penitential givers.
Fourth, those who give as a matter of display, to win public applause for their generosity--theatrical givers.
Fifth, those who give because others give, because they are expected to give, and are ashamed not to give, and therefore give grudgingly--conventional givers.
Sixth, those who give because they feel they ought to give; who give through a sense of duty and not through love--moral givers.
Seventh, those who give in the spirit of Jesus; who give because they love their neighbor as themselves, and above all things desire to help him--spiritual givers.
To which do you belong?
There are lots of men who will sing with gusto in a missionary meeting:
“Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small,”
but when the collection-plate is put under their nose and they are asked to put their sentiments into cold, hard cash, they drop a five-cent piece upon it with a sigh of regret, which suggests these other well-known lines,
“When we asunder part, It gives us inward pain.”
--E. L. MEADOWS, Pittsburg _Christian Advocate_.
Small denominations can reduce giving, reflecting minimal rather than generous giving.
During the Civil War coins became difficult to obtain, and paper money was furnished in their place, and at one time the lowest denomination was a “five-cent scrip.” The time came when the government minted the three-cent nickel piece. The treasurer of a church, a fine man, who had a brother, a missionary in Siam, said to me, “Pastor, it is very unfortunate that the government should have issued this three-cent piece, because when we had nothing smaller than a five-cent scrip, people put that into the collection, but now, that we have got something so small as a three-cent nickel, our collections will fall off two-fifths!”
Humor can creatively open opportunities to help others in need.
In his “Reminiscences” of the late Sir Henry Irving, says the London Academy, Joseph Hatton gives an anecdote which shows the great actor in the role of a humorist:
A widow of an old Lyceum servant applied to him for some sort of occupation about the theater, whereby she might earn a living. Irving appealed to Loveday, the manager.
“There is absolutely no vacancy of any kind,” said Loveday. “Can’t you give her a job to look after the theater cats? I think we’ve too many mice about, not to mention rats.” “No,” said Loveday, “there are two women already on that job.” “Hum, ha, let me see,” said Irving, reflectively, then suddenly brightening with an idea. “Very well, then, give her the job of looking after the two women who are looking after the cats.” The widow was at once engaged on the permanent staff of the theater.
A humble copper coin is found more often in missionary offerings than a silver dollar.
On one occasion a new silver dollar found itself in the same plate with a penny with the head of an Indian upon it. And the goddess of Liberty looked down upon the Indian, and said: “You miserable, copper-faced, feather-trimmed heathen, what are you doing in this plate, in the same company with me?” And the copper coin, with the Indian’s face, responded: “I am found in a great many more missionary gatherings than you are!”
God entrusts us with blessings to share generously for His glory and our joy.
God has crammed both thy palms with living seed; Let not a miser’s clutch keep both hands tight, But scatter on the desert’s barren need, That fragrant blossoms may reward God’s sight.
God has dipt deep thy cup into his spring, Which drippeth over, it is so well filled; Lend it to some parched life, and let it bring Laughter and song to voices drought has stilled.
God gave to thee His only well-loved Christ, Whose steps have smoothed the road that leads thee home; Tell those whose road is rough, whose way is missed, That He has called all weary men to come.
So shall thy giving set for thee God’s smile, And thine own soul drink deep draughts of His love; Earth’s shadows shall grow bright as heaven, the while A web of glory round thy life is wove.
--_The British Congregationalist._
A stingy man ridicules generosity but gives the least possible, showing true character.
A very self-respecting and self-asserting bon vivant showed his desire to cut down the fees of waiters to a minimum and at the same time to ridicule the whole system. As the waiter held out his itching palm for the gratuity the epicure dropt a cent into it. “Oh, sir, you’ve made a mistake!” blurted out the waiter. “No,” replied the donor, with an air of dignified benevolence; “I never give less.”--TAVERNER, Boston _Post_.
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