An advert pops up on the TV.
Or you catch sight of it in your newspaper ... on a passing van ... or whatever.
There's a needy young/ old/ poor person somewhere in the world suffering some sort of hardship or another. Their situation is portrayed in a heart-rending manner.
Beneath their picture comes the appeal to give money, and you really want to help, but ...
Why?
It isn't to your advantage to do help them, and possibly your own funds are themselves a little stretched just now.
Our inbuilt urges to show generosity - the ultimate luxury
We have this urge to do things that are generous ... and generosity often seems like the ultimate luxury ... it can be one of he hardest things to lose when we experience poverty NOT to be able to be generous.
Where does this come from?
There are few explanations for feeling like this to be found in evolutionary biology!
... but in Genesis, the Bible helps us understand.
The Bible says we are made in the image of God, that is 'in His likeness' ... with more of His feelings and urges than we often understand.
So this urge to enjoy the luxury of generosity lies deep in the nature of God:
AUDIO
Good news! It isn't all about money!
Here's the point
Generosity involves giving costly help, yes ... but it's help of all sorts, not just money!
- Thoughtful acts that brighten someone's day
- Kindness to someone who's struggling today
- Using friendships or contacts or knowledge that gives a leg-up to someone who could use one
A leg-up is far better than a loan!
We have the urge to help others along the way ... and it's IN us because we're made to be living as the image of God.
Here's the takeaway
We can always afford generosity, even without money because generosity isn't all about cash
Make no mistake, there's a sinful competitiveness in us too, that channels our own insecurity to keep others down .... climbing up on the fallen in front of us.
But God delights in the OPPOSITE attitude.
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