Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Romans 12:10-13
“Love isn’t stingy; love freely shares whatever it has. Paul’s phrase “contributing to the needs of the saints” uses the Greek word koinōneō, which is the quintessential term of the church. It means “to share in,” “to be in fellowship or to participate in.” I believe this has more in mind than sharing one’s abundance with someone in need. This has shared suffering in mind. Love gives even when it hurts. It shares freely even when money is tight. And when the contributions have run out, love continues to share in the need of another.”
Charles R. Swindoll in Swindoll’s Living Insights: New Testament Commentary on Romans (Carol Stream: Tyndale House, 2015) 288.
Recently I spoke to about 80 Christian professionals of the Logos Management Club and I will never forget what one of them said to me in the lobby while greeting me after I spoke.
He leaned to me and whispered, “I’ve been stingy toward God and others for too long. My giving and living will be different from now on. Thanks for coming to Mumbai, India to teach us from God’s Word.” I replied, “If I came here just to speak to you, then it was worth it. Go show your faith through your giving.” And then he vanished in the crowd.
Swindoll is spot on to call koinōneō, “the quintessential term of the church,” because how we handle money shows we are different from the world. What about your Christian love? Is it stingy?