One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25
“A rich man, without son or heir, loses part of his property, but still has more than enough to keep himself and his household. If this misfortune grieves and disquiets him as though he were left to beg his bread, how can our Lord ask him to give up all things for His sake? This man will tell you he regrets losing his money because he wished to bestow it on the poor.
I believe His Majesty would prefer me to conform to His will, and keep peace of soul while attending to my interests, to such charity as this. If this person cannot resign himself because God has not raised him so high in virtue, well and good: let him know that he is wanting in liberty of spirit; let him beg our Lord to grant it him, and be rightly disposed to receive it.”
Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) in Interior Castle 3.4-5 (Grand Rapids: CCEL) 35.
Interior Castle is another one from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. Today Teresa inspires reluctant givers to ask the Lord for liberality or generosity of spirit.
Our Scripture sets forth the outcome of lacking or having liberality of spirit. Those who’ve got it will give, be refreshed, and flourish. Those who don’t have it, will withhold, and come to poverty.
Perhaps you know people like the rich man described by Teresa above? This person has a lot of money and withholds it, comes to poverty, and exclaims that he or she would have given it to the poor.
Whether or not it is true, is irrelevant! What matters for every steward is what we do with what we have, not what we don’t do. And acceptable giving is giving to God what we have (see 2 Corinthians 8:12).
To such, Teresa urges conformity to God’s will for peace of soul to attend to charity with liberality. For those who are not there yet, she urges to pray for this spirit of liberality or generosity.
Yesterday, I stated that I feel led not to speak of “year-end giving” per se, but rather, “year-end keeping.” In light of today’s biblical text and quote, I remain in that place. I urge you to conform to God’s will with regard to charity.
You lose when you withhold. You gain when you give. This is not gaining for amassing personal riches but replenishment for liberal generosity. With Solomon, I say, “give freely” rather than “withhold.”
And this year-end, please include GTP in your giving. Your gift will be used to empower national workers to build trust and grow local generous giving to God’s work.
We are praying for God to supply $149,000 by 31 December 2022, to deploy 10 staff and numerous volunteers and deliver program onsite and online serving 5,575 workers in 110 countries. Give today.