Unrestricted Generosity ∙∙

Unrestricted Generosity ∙∙

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. – Luke 6:38

Deuteronomy 15:7-11

But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them.

Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the LORD, you will be considered guilty of sin.

Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do. There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.

The Toddler’s Creed: A Reflection on Selfishness

The “Toddler’s Creed” captures the self-centered mindset of a two-year-old:

• If I want it, it’s mine.
• If I give it to you and I change my mind later, it’s mine.
• If I can take it away from you, it’s mine.
• If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
• If it’s mine, it will never belong to anybody else, no matter what.
• If we are building something together, all the pieces are mine.
• If it looks like mine, it is mine.

This anonymous way of thinking provides a glimpse into the egocentric world of toddlers, who believe the universe revolves around them. Sharing is a foreign concept, and their favorite word is “No.”  Their motto is simple: “me,” “I want,” and “I can.”

This stage of life, often called the “Terrible Twos,” is a natural developmental phase. With patience and guidance, most children outgrow it. But sadly, for many, this self-centered mindset persists into adulthood.

The Paradox of Generosity

Human nature is inherently selfish. We are born grasping, greedy, and self-focused, always trying to hold on tightly to what we have. However, there is a paradox in giving generously. True generosity requires a shift from selfishness to selflessness, a change that is both challenging and deeply fulfilling.

This idea isn’t about the broad command to love your neighbor as yourself, as seen in Luke 10:29-37, but rather a more specific and focused instruction. The Law of Moses offers clear guidance on generosity toward those within the community of faith.

Generosity in the Law of Moses

The Law of Moses clearly emphasized the importance of generosity. In Deuteronomy 15:11, the Father commanded the Israelites: “You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.”

Upon closer examination, observe that this law was not a broad call to help all the poor. Deuteronomy 15:12 explains that it was an exclusive directive regarding the treatment of Hebrew servants, “If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.” The Israelites were expected to treat one another with a level of dignity and compassion that stemmed from their shared identity and status as God’s covenantal people.  

This exclusivity reflects the unique relationship between God and His chosen people as outlined in the covenant made at Mount Sinai. The law’s protections and provisions for release did not extend to non-Hebrew servants. Foreigners or non-Israelites who became servants were subject to different rules, as they were not part of the covenant community.

This passage emphasizes what can be called “restricted, unrestricted generosity,” a thoughtful way of giving that balances compassion with practicality.  

Practical Generosity: Wisdom in Giving

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars but remember to keep your feet on the ground.” This wisdom reminds us that while generosity is noble, it must also be sustainable. Giving away a fish may feed someone for a day, but giving away your only fishing rod could leave both people in need.

The Father’s command in Deuteronomy 15:9 is clear: “Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the LORD, you will be considered guilty of sin.”

Take a moment to review Deuteronomy 15:7-15. It means exactly what it says. It’s long overdue for us to honestly think this through. We should develop the habit of practicing both restricted and unrestricted generosity. Inside ourselves, we should have a soft heart and an open hand. Let that sink in. This is not merely a suggestion but an absolute requirement. Under the law of Moses, refusing to help those in need within the covenant community is considered sin.

Why be generous and have compassion toward servants? Deuteronomy 15:15 explains: “Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you! That is why I am giving you this command.”

The Theological Foundation of Generosity

Critics might argue that such laws are impractical or financially unfeasible. However, the law in Deuteronomy was motivated not by practicality but by God’s character. Justice and kindness are fundamental to His nature, and these qualities are reflected in His commands. As Hall notes, “Deuteronomy’s law was not driven by practicality or economic necessity but by God’s character. Justice and generosity were its hallmarks.” Although the Mosaic Law no longer binds believers today, the principles of justice and generosity remain timeless.

REFLECT & PRAY

The well-known proverb reminds us: “Give someone a fish; you feed him for a day. Teach them to fish, and they will feed themselves.” This balance between immediate help and long-term empowerment reflects the heart of biblical generosity. It is not about reckless giving but about thoughtful, intentional acts of kindness that reflect the character of God.

Father, how many times have I held back because of my own self-centeredness? My guess is without measure. I want to be just like You. You demonstrated remarkable and undeniable softness of heart and openness of hand. How do I make this work? Seek wisdom and guidance from the Father.

INSIGHT

Offering Our Best to the Father and Secondhand Pianos

Why do churches often have secondhand pianos? The answer is simple: we buy a new piano for our homes and donate the old one to the church, often with a tax deduction as an added benefit. Although this practice might be practical, it reveals a deeper issue: our tendency to give God our leftovers instead of our finest gifts.

The Father’s Outrage at Halfhearted Offerings

In the book of Malachi, the Father expresses His displeasure with Israel for dishonoring Him by offering less than their best. Malachi 1:6-14 captures His frustration:

“A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! ‘But you ask, how have we ever shown contempt for your name?’

How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings.

But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table.

You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen, crippled, and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept such offerings as these from you?” asks the LORD.

“Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!”

These verses depict the Father’s profound disappointment and anger due to the people’s shameful lack of reverence. Instead of offering their best, they presented stolen, crippled, and sick animals as sacrifices. Their actions showed contempt for God’s name and commandments, turning worship into a hollow ritual.

The Call to Honor God with Generosity

Malachi’s words challenge us to examine our own offerings to God. Do we give Him our best, or do we offer what is convenient, leftover, or secondhand? The Father deserves honor, respect, and the very best of what we have, not out of obligation, but as acts of love and gratitude.

We may grudgingly pay our taxes because we are required to, but when it comes to God, the question is not about obligation but about devotion. Of all that we have, what does not belong to the Father? The answer is simple: nothing. Everything we have is His, and recognizing this truth is the first step toward cultivating a heart of generosity.

Becoming Like Our Generous Father

Our Heavenly Father is generous beyond measure, and He desires for us to mirror His character. True generosity is not about giving out of abundance or convenience; it’s about sharing with a soft heart and an open hand. It’s about giving our best, not because we have to, but because we want to honor the One who has given us everything.

As John Bunyan wisely said, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” This kind of selfless giving reflects God’s heart and brings us closer to His likeness.

A Life of Generous Worship

The Father’s call to give our best is not merely about financial contributions; it reflects the attitude of our hearts. It challenges us to lead a life of worship that honors God in every aspect of our lives: through our time, resources, and actions. When we give with generosity and sincerity, we not only showcase the greatness of our King but also honor His name.

Rooted in God’s justice and love, generosity serves as a powerful testament to His grace and provision. It inspires us to rise above selfishness and adopt a lifestyle marked by genuine compassion and open-handedness.

How is Such Generosity Achieved?

The Macedonian churches, despite their poverty, demonstrated that their giving was rooted in a deeper spiritual act: they first gave themselves to the Lord. They intentionally placed the Lord at the center of their lives, allowing Him to guide their decisions, priorities, and actions. This surrender is not partial or conditional; it is a wholehearted commitment to live in alignment with God’s will and purpose. Their generosity, freely and joyfully given, was an expression of their devotion to God. 

Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5: Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

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© Dr. H 2026