No Guilt

Disciples may become confused when God’s abundant generosity overflows into their lives. What do you do when you receive something special and perhaps unexpected from God? You may be delighted but also feel unworthy. You know you haven’t earned it and don’t deserve it. You also realize it was not an accident but a blessing and an expression of God’s love for you. You are pleased, even thrilled, but uncertain about how you should respond. What is a proper response? I suggest a three-fold response is best.

First, we acknowledge that it is a gift, not a reward, and ultimately the gift comes from God, whether it is a paycheck, a raise, a new car or home, a present from a loved one, or good news from the doctor. Consequently, we give heartfelt thanks to God for it. Like we learned in Challenge 3, gratitude needs to be expressed by “giving” thanks to God, which is natural and appropriate. 

Secondly, we need to enjoy the gift. Just as parents want to see their children enjoy the gifts they give them, so God wants us to enjoy the gifts he gives us. 1 Tim 6:17 tells us that our “trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” To acknowledge the gift is from God (gratitude) and then to enjoy it pleases God. Failure to enjoy the gift could indicate that we have a sense of entitlement (assume we deserved the gift) and/or do not appreciate it by questioning whether it is truly good. Nor should we ever feel guilty when we receive a gift. God gives it to meet a need, to express his love, and to bless us. He intends us to enjoy all of his gifts.

Stewards

Thirdly, the Bible teaches that we become “stewards” of every gift God gives to us, whether the gift is our abilities, time, relationships, possessions, bodies, minds and knowledge, jobs and careers, status and authority, reputations, attitudes, and last, but not least, our money. Our ownership of them is not an excuse for possessiveness. We are to enjoy them while holding on to them lightly. 

God promises to meet our needs and wants us to enjoy every gift he gives us. To enjoy means that he wants us to feel genuine joy because his gifts are given in love. Joy is a proper response. But beyond merely meeting our needs and multiplying our joy, he desires others to be blessed through the gifts he entrusts to us. Joy that is not shared can morph into greed and pride. Our joy is multiplied when others share in our blessing as well as our joy. 

Instead of possessiveness, disciples are characterized by overflowing generosity. We share the blessings and the joy as we share the gifts God has given us. This happens as we embrace our role as stewards of all our resources. 

In other words, disciples play a fiduciary role over our resources. A fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person to manage assets. That means we manage the assets God has entrusted to us to fulfill his purposes. They are not given merely for our well-being and enjoyment. They also are given to benefit others. God intends others to share in our joy as we help meet their needs through what he has entrusted to us. Our fiduciary responsibilities are an expression of what I call “Kingdom economics,” which obviously differs from the economic systems of this world. You are blessed to be a blessing to others. 

The Old Testament Blueprint

Jesus taught us to pray: “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This petition is broad. This portion of the prayer includes the request that the economy of the Kingdom of God would be manifested on earth—here and now. Since Jesus demonstrated this generosity and taught his disciples to pray in this way, he must have wanted us to practice it as well. 

The OT contains many insights into how Kingdom economics works. Israel had an agrarian economy, but it still provides several helpful insights. First, let’s consider two OT passages:

⁹ If you obey, you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors and to you, their descendants—a land flowing with milk and honey! ¹⁰ For the land you are about to enter and take over is not like the land of Egypt from which you came, where you planted your seed and made irrigation ditches with your foot as in a vegetable garden. ¹¹ Rather, the land you will soon take over is a land of hills and valleys with plenty of rain—¹² a land that the Lord your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year!

¹³ “If you carefully obey the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, ¹⁴ then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. ¹⁵ He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you want to eat.
Deuteronomy 11:9-15

¹¹ The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. ¹² The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. 
Deuteronomy 28:11-12

The “Promised Land” the people were about to enter was a land of abundance. Yet, unlike Egypt where the people had lived as slaves, the land they were entering did not have a Nile River to irrigate their crops. The land was fertile and would be extremely productive if the people were faithful to God. If they rejected their covenant obligations, God would withhold the rain needed for the land to produce abundance for all. 

Every family was assigned a portion of land as their own at no cost. God’s plan was for everyone to flourish and experience abundance, but that goal required faithfulness to God. God’s intention was “There should be no poor among you, for the LORD your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession” (Deuteronomy 15:4). Yet there were stipulations that protected people who experienced scarcity. 

⁷ “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. ⁸ Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. ¹¹ 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.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11

The OT pattern depended upon generosity and mutual sharing—loving your neighbor as you love yourself. But God also provided a safety net for needy people with limited means, a few of which are summarized below.

• The first (10% tithe) and the best (first fruits from harvest , firstborn male animals and firstborn sons) belonged to God. Any animal with a defect was not an acceptable sacrifice.

• All debts were forgiven every 7 years. 

• Hebrew slaves were set free every 7 years and given a generous gift to help them flourish as free people.

• A second tithe was collected every third year to help those who lived nearby who were in need.

• Gleaning – not harvesting to the edge of fields and leaving some fruit and produce unharvested so people in need could gather sufficient provisions until the next harvest.

• The law permitted a hungry person to pick produce from any field, orchard, or vineyard provided it was eaten immediately and where they picked it. It was not considered trespassing or theft. They were not allowed to fill their arms or a basket with produce and/or to carry it away. That was a crime (theft).

• Returning a neighbor’s livestock that had wandered off was required.

• Employers had to pay workers at the end of each day so the working poor could buy food to feed their families.

• Year of Jubilee – every 50 years any land that had been purchased had to be returned at no cost to the family who had originally owned it.

As you reflect on what these legal stipulations are intended to do, you will gain insight into the economics of God’s kingdom. It starts with abundance. There is enough to meet everyone’s needs. Overflowing generosity was the norm. The gap between the rich and the poor would be limited as the land was returned to the families of the original owner every fifty years. The dignity of those in need was respected (gleaning an orchard or field instead begging) and their basic needs, including housing, would be provided (become a voluntary slave for a maximum of seven years). No one would go hungry (eat food from any farm or orchard on the site). Sadly, this system was never fully implemented. Why? Because the people’s hearts were hardened by greed.

The New Testament Pattern

Now let’s contrast the OT economic guidelines with the first church in Jerusalem. Jesus had ascended to the Father and the Spirit had been poured out upon the disciples at Pentecost. They received new hearts when the Holy Spirit took up residence in them. They, perhaps more than any other community in history, practiced the economic precepts of God’s Kingdom:

⁴⁴ And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Acts 2:44-47

³² All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. ³³ The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. ³⁴ There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them ³⁵ and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
Acts 4:32-35

The early disciples responded to God’s overflowing generosity at the cross and at Pentecost with overflowing generosity to one another. The Spirit had changed their hard hearts into hearts that overflowed with love for one another. Consequently, they gave freely and joyfully and shared whatever the Lord had entrusted to them. Consequently, “there were no needy people among them.” Even more amazing, their overflowing generosity was not legislated by laws but was completely voluntary. No one was required or pressured to be generous. The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 confirms this truth: 

³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. ⁴ The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”
Acts 5:3-4

Ananias and Sapphira had acted hypocritically. They had sold property and donated part of the proceeds to the church to distribute to needy people. That would have been wonderful, except they lied and said they gave all the proceeds from the sale. Apparently, they wanted to impress people by lying about (exaggerating) their generosity. They sought to impress people instead of seeking to please the Lord (audience of One). Hypocrisy is not tolerated in the Kingdom. 

Remember when God gives gifts to us, we should thank him and enjoy those gifts. We are also called to act in a fiduciary role in managing his gifts entrusted to our care. The OT Israelites failed to exercise their fiduciary responsibilities. The early disciples, however, overwhelmingly exercised their fiduciary responsibilities in ways that pleased and honored God. They embodied Kingdom economics in how they managed their possessions. 

Jesus taught his disciples “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35b). Overflowing generosity characterizes life in the Kingdom. And since disciples are apprentices of Jesus in Kingdom living, they joyfully embrace their fiduciary responsibilities, and are always eager to share with others. Jesus also said what you choose to do with your money (stewardship) reveals your heart (Matt 6:21). Apparently “money matters” in the economy of the Kingdom of God, but for different reasons and purposes than in our present economy. Following the Jesus Way may lead to places and bring challenges and adventures we had never anticipated.

THINKING IT THROUGH

The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. Proverbs 10:29

THE TRUTH: God demonstrated his overflowing love and generosity by giving us his son and his son giving his life. 

YOUR CHALLENGE: Disciples respond by giving generously and joyfully. 

The Scriptures, questions, and notes are for group discussion and personal reflection. Our goal is character transformation which requires sustained effort and growing faith. The questions can help you understand this challenge at a deeper level. We encourage you to focus on those questions that you find most interesting or helpful. This is not a test, but a tool to help you work the challenges.

Related Scripture

Deuteronomy 22:1-4 ¹ If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. ² If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. ³ Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it.
⁴ If you see your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.

Deuteronomy 15:1 ¹ At the end of every seventh year you must cancel the debts of everyone who owes you money.

Deuteronomy 15:7 ⁷ But if there are any poor Israelites…do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. ⁸ Instead be generous and lend them….

Deuteronomy 15:9 ⁹ Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand.  …you will be considered guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 15:10 ¹⁰ Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for Yahweh your God will bless you in everything you do.

Deuteronomy 15:12-13, 14-15 ¹² If a fellow Hebrews sells himself…in the seventh year you must set that servant free. ¹³ …do not send him away empty-handed. ¹⁴ Give him a generous farewell gift….” ¹⁵ “Remember that you were once slaves….

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 ²⁸ Every third year “bring the entire tithe…store it in the nearest town. ²⁹ Give it to the Levites…as well as to the foreigners …the orphans and the widows.”

Leviticus 19:18 ¹⁸ “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Philemon v. 6 ⁶ And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

Excerpts from Leviticus 25:8-28

⁸ “In addition, you must count off seven Sabbath years, seven sets of seven years, adding up to forty-nine years in all. ⁹ Then on the Day of Atonement in the fiftieth year…each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors and return to your own clan. ¹³ In the Year of Jubilee each of you may return to the land that belonged to your ancestors.

¹⁴ “When you make an agreement with your neighbor to buy or sell property, you must not take advantage of each other. ¹⁵ When you buy land from your neighbor, the price you pay must be based on the number of years since the last jubilee….¹⁶ The more years until the next jubilee, the higher the price; the fewer years, the lower the price. ...the person selling the land is actually selling you a certain number of harvests. ¹⁷ Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I am the Lord your God.

¹⁸ “If you want to live securely in the land, follow my decrees and obey my regulations. ¹⁹ Then the land will yield large crops, and you will eat your fill and live securely in it.”

²³ “The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me.

²⁸ In the jubilee year, the land must be returned to the original owners so they can return to their family land.

Leviticus 25:35-37 ³⁵ “If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and cannot support himself, support him as you would a foreigner or a temporary resident and allow him to live with you. ³⁶ Do not charge interest or make a profit at his expense. Instead, show your fear of God by letting him live with you as your relative. ³⁷ Remember, do not charge interest on money you lend him or make a profit on food you sell him.

Ephesians 4:28 ²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

Questions

You are encouraged to use these questions for group discussion or personal reflection. Respond to the questions that are most relevant or interesting to you (I urge you to write your responses in a journal or notebook).

1. Imagine that you lived in a nation that had voluntarily adopted Kingdom economics. Private property was valued, and overflowing generosity was practiced. Your car needs a complete overhaul. You have decided that you need a new or used auto and begin to visit auto dealers. Using your imagination, describe how buying a new (or used) vehicle would differ from what you would expect if you were shopping for a car in twenty-first century America. 

2. Under the covenantal system in ancient Israel, a person (there were no banks) could not charge interest on a loan to a fellow Israelite. Why do you think God included this economic mandate in the list of covenantal stipulations? 

3. Now reflect on the stipulations related to the year of jubilee, which occurred every 50 years (see Lev 25:8-28). Why do you think God included these laws (that were never fully implemented). If any nation adopted and enforced the basic requirements of the year of jubilee, what would be the primary benefits and the primary problems that would likely follow?

4. Now think about the descriptions of the first church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:32-35 and 4:32-5:11). I think it would be fair to describe them as being characterized by “overflowing generosity.” Do you think the economics of this community of faith (the church) were similar to what God sought for OT Israel? Why or why not? 

5. God said to OT Israel, “There should be no poor among you, for the LORD your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession” (Deut 15:4). However, God also declared “There will always be some in the land who are poor” (Deut 15:11). In contrast, Acts 2:34 describes the church in these words: “There were no needy people among them….” That statement astonishes me. Why or how did the church become a community in which there were no needy people, but Israel never succeeded in ending poverty? What was the difference?

6. Jesus taught, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:21, NIV). Kingdom economics relies on overflowing generosity, which requires people to be transformed starting with their hearts. They must be transformed by the Spirit who gives them new and receptive hearts. What has Challenge 9, Parts A through C, revealed about your heart?

7. How will you move from your present pattern of giving to the goal of overflowing generosity?

8. Most people, disciples included, agree that “money matters.” Write from the perspective of an apprentice of Jesus in Kingdom living why and/or how money matters in the Kingdom of God.

Copyright © 2024 Don Waite

All rights reserved.

Previous

Next