Be Generous
And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Matthew 5:41
Generosity! It is the ultimate example of what our God is. He is extremely generous in all the He is and does. His love is overflowingly generous in that He didn’t even spare His only son to show how much He loves us all and to rescue us. He never holds back and His desire is that we would be that kind of example to the lost world around us.
Jesus tells us in this section of Matthew 5, to give what we are asked for and beyond. He encourages us to always go the extra mile. Whatever you think you can do easily, stretch beyond that point to become excessive in all we do for others.
Whether it is helping someone out financially or giving of material possessions, always go above and beyond what is requested. We should always have the mentality of exceeding the expectation. You can even go as far as returning things in better condition after you have used or borrowed something. This is the God way of doing things.
Here is the list of things that Jesus taught in these five verses:
1. Do not resist an evil person
2. When slapped on one cheek, offer the other one too
3. If someone wants your shirt, offer then your coat too
4. Anyone who wants to borrow from you do not turn them away or consider if they will pay you back
5. If someone asks you to do one mile with them, go two.
The way I approach this is with love. I consider giving of any kind, a gift and display of God’s love through me. I don’t worry about if I will be treated right or appreciated. Love is my motivation, so it doesn’t matter who or what the circumstances are. It has nothing to do with the person receiving the gift, it is all about who I am and Who I represent. I cannot be offended because I expect nothing in return. I like to use the verse in Romans 13 that says “Own no man anything but to love them.” Consider the debt in this scripture in Romans is the same debt as: Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors in the Lord’s prayer, the debt of love for the world. I owe that love to the world around me and therefore I choose to be a generous lover of all people!
Today I want to encourage you to be generous. Be generous with your time. Be generous with your resources and be generous with your love for others. Show the world around you how great and loving your Heavenly Father is by being that example of love to everyone you meet. Let the love of God abound in your richly and be generous in giving to your world.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 5:38-42
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.
41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
The Daily Dose 