Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 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 15:8-10
“Generosity is not a foreign act to Africa; it is part of our culture. And we know that one does not need to be rich to be generous. We share what little we have. There is even a proverb, ‘In friendship, even a crust of bread is shared.’
The African Christian should be the most generous of all Africans for our generosity should not merely be cultural but should be rooted in a heartfelt response to God’s generosity to us. We should model our generosity on the generosity of the Heavenly Father, who promises to provide our daily break (Matthew 6:11). But the bread He supplies does not normally drop from heaven, as the manna did in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4). Nor is His generosity limited to sharing a crust of bread, which merely staves off hunger. He created a world that would meet our needs for food (Genesis 1:30).
Following His example, we must not just provide emergency food supplies, but must act to change the situation. We must empower the person who receives the help to help others (2 Corinthians 1:4). And we must not insist on our pwn preconceived ideas as to how help is to be offered. Rather, we must support the poor in the use of their own creativity and imagination to find a way out of their poverty. Experience has shown that people can be very resourceful.”
Solomon Andria in “Generosity and Solidarity” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 231.
As I continue to explore sharing from an African perspective, this post resonated with me as it echoes the aim of GTP: to empower national workers to grow local giving to God’s work.
If you see a need, do not give a hand out that creates a dependency. Sure, help in an emergency, but don’t offer ongoing aid. Instead give a hand up that builds up disciples. Act to change the situation.
At GTP, we are doing this in difficult places. By teaching people to share what they have, God is moving mightily in Malawi where the average annual income is only $242 USD.
People are giving corn, chickens, and other resources. They farm land together, sharing the fruits of harvest with each other and with the poor. It’s demonstrating a vibrant witness to onlookers.
To read about the “Palmful of Maize” vision to help the children of Malawi spread the joy of giving as a reflection of true Christianity and to watch videos of how the vision is spreading, click here.
Know anyone in need where you live. Come alongside them. Give them aid if they have an emergency. From there, empower them to use the abilities and gifts God has given them in productive ways.