Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10
“Do not be ready to stretch forth your hands to receive, while you draw them back when it comes to giving… You shall not hesitate to give, nor murmur when you give.”
Epostle of Barnabas (c. 70-130) 1.148 as recounted in A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: A Reference Guide edited by David W. Bercot (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1998) 8.
The aim of Lenten practices is to teach us not to hesitate. In our flesh, we flinch. Our default posture is not to serve as conduits of blessing. We must also not murmur.
To be able to give is a blessing in itself. To have more than enough is a place of privilege. What will we do from this place? Will we hesitate or murmur?
In one of the earliest Christian writings we learn the heart behind the giving of Barnabas. Remember he sold a tract of land to help mission get going in the early church.
What if he had hesitated? Might he have met the same fate as Ananias and Sapphira? Who knows? What we do know is that his giving launched the Christian movement.
Our giving can have similar impact today if we don’t hesitate!