Being Generous

I was not raised in an especially generous home. My dad told me over and over-- "if you give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day; but if you teach a man to fish, he'll eat for life".

As a Christian, that is a hard thing to find peace with. Jesus has said that we will always have the poor with us. He calls us to give and love others--because His love is made complete in us. So, is what my dad said biblical?

I don't know that it's a matter of being biblical or unbiblical. I think it can be a true statement about life, but I think it is used wrongly as a justification for not giving and for holding onto possessions and money. At least I realize that it was in my life until God got a hold of my heart in my early 20s and began showing me what it meant to live generously and give to others rather than being miserly.

I enjoy these verses from Ecclesiastes by Solomon:

¹⁸ Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. Ecc. 5:18-20 NIV

I think that there are times that God calls us to give a fish and other times when we are to teach someone how to fish.

The reason this has come to my mind this week is out of concern for a dear friend who has been ministering to a woman who wants others to give her the things what she wants--in this case a car for her son. My friend is part of a group of women who provide for all of this woman's physical and emotional needs.

At first, I was very concerned for my friend. This request unsettled me. But, while we were talking last night and I realized that I don't have to worry about my friend. God will give her discernment about whether it is time to be a part of giving a fish or it is time to help this woman learn to fish. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit--that we are not alone in this life. God speaks to our hearts and I believe He prompts us when we pray and listen to Him.

¹⁰ If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up! Ecc.4:10 NIV

We do need to help each other up. God desires that we would love and encourage one another--it is how we see His love.

But, it is easy to become cynical about people taking advantage of others and their generosity. And I brought this struggle to a friend last night--that question--how do I know how much is wise to give? She shared this with me, which I thought was very wise.

At the end of the day, I'd rather err on the side of loving and giving too much, than loving and giving too little.

Wise words.