Joshua 10-12 | Luke 1:39-56

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

How are we leaning into God’s calling to practice generosity? In the Torah, the Israelites were told to share with their fellow Israelites, foreigners and strangers. Leviticus 25:35-37 tells us, “If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so that they can continue to live among you. Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit.” In practicing generosity, the Israelites were not to make a profit off those who were struggling.

Additionally, God commanded the Israelites: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 19:9-10). Notice how God did not prescribe to the Israelites how much they should leave, this was up to the Israelites to decide. The gleaning laws gave them an opportunity to practice benevolence towards those who were struggling.

In the New Testament, when Jesus was asked what the greatest command of the Law was, Jesus answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40). The law of God is summed up as love God and love others.

God was calling His people to practice generosity above and beyond what people would normally expect. The generosity they were called to display broke down the boundaries of “them versus us.” The Israelites were to extend their generosity as a reflection of God’s generosity. Exodus 22:21 reminded them: “Do not ill-treat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” All this boiled down to trusting God as we practice generosity. As we trust God, we become an instrument of His philanthropy in the world.

Are we giving just the bare minimum or are we giving generously, above and beyond what is expected? This is how a heart of worship loves God, we are generous not so that we could please Him, but because we trust Him.

PRAYER

Almighty God, as I trust You, help me to be generous to those around me. I want to be an instrument of Your philanthropy in the world. Thank You, Lord.