| Command them [the rich] to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. |
| —1 Timothy 6:18 |
The Season of Advent and the Season of Christmas are times of year where people’s minds and hearts turn towards giving. That’s why so many charities and other non-profit organizations make a concerted effort to attract donors during this blessed time of the year.
But giving should be something we do generously all year long. Of course, not everyone has the means to give large sums of money to charity. But, even with the most meager resources, it is good to give as much as one can spare. Remember the story of the widow’s offering—often referred to as “the widow’s mite”—found in Luke 21:1-4:
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Generosity is not an option for “Christ’s-ones.” We Christians must become such good stewards of the resources that God has given us that we are able to give generously whenever the Holy Spirit moves us to do so. The Apostle Paul offered these instructions to his “son in the faith,” as found in 1 Timothy 6:18:
Command them [the rich] to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
When God has uniquely blessed certain individuals with a great abundance, He expects those so blessed to give generously. So, at this special time of year, let’s examine whether we are willing to help others by sharing with them what God has given to us, even if we only have meager resources.
