Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17
“As humans, we like parity in relationships with others. A tit for a tat. An eye for an eye. A kiss for a kiss. At its best, our desire for parity keeps relationships healthy. We enjoy flexibility in our roles. Both parties give and take love, time, gifts, and kindnesses. Like the ocean waves, the relationship ebbs and flows naturally. At its worst parity leads to keeping accounts.
We notice that at lunch, we asked all the questions while our colleague did all the talking. We take note of when gifts and cards are given and received. We pay attention to who does more of the calling, e-mailing, and inviting. We judge people we connect with—and our relationships—against these accounts. We wonder, “What have you done for me lately?” This isn’t new of course…
In a conversation on hospitality, Jesus encouraged His followers not to invite other people in hopes of being repaid. Jesus said, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you” (Luke 14:13-14).
When the woman with the “alabaster jar of very costly ointment” anointed Jesus (Matthew 26:7), the disciples were outraged at the expense. “For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor” (Matthew 26:9). Jesus did not chastise the woman or her generous gift, instead He called it “good service” (literally a “beautiful deed”).
When Jesus spoke about retaliation (Matthew 5:38-42), He asked His followers to forget the rules that had punishment fit the crime (“an eye for an eye”). Instead, He advised a sort of reckless generosity: “Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42).”
Rochelle Melander in A Generous Presence: Spiritual Leadership and the Art of Coaching (Herndon: Alban Institute, 2006) 91-92.
The world sees it as reckless to give to those who cannot repay us. So, why would Jesus instruct us to do this? Might it be that we won’t figure it out until we bless those who cannot repay us that God will reward us? That He will replenish our supply?
Too much of generosity is about giving to places that will generate a great return. Jesus is saying to give to things that can generate no return. This is what gracious and merciful generosity is all about.
This not about giving handouts that create dependencies on other humans. It’s about exhibiting generosity to build disciples who rely on God. We only figure it out when we practice reckless generosity.