If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Deuteronomy 15:7-8
“The Bible presents only one behavior and attitude that can break the grip of greed: generosity…Greed is self-centered and selfish. Generosity is others-focused and selfless. Greed hoards. Generosity relinquishes. Greed holds a tight grip. Generosity shares freely. Greed is closefisted. Generosity is openhanded, with arms spread wide to embrace problems and people who have problems.”
Ed Young in Fatal Distractions: Seven Obstacles That Mess Up Our Lives (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2000) 178.
Today I am teaching a group of ministry leaders who serve across China and other parts of Asia. I have been asked to share about something that I see as a challenge for Christ-followers globally. I will teach on greed and generosity from Luke 12:13-21.
This quote by Ed Young is fitting. From the OT to the NT, we are instructed to be generous toward needy brothers, and the commands are not intended to bankrupt us but to help us. Wealth retained destroys its possessors, and when it is distributed, it ministers care and shows God’s love to the world. Let’s live openhanded!