The Heart of Giving

 By: Bill Kear, Stewardship Team

The Stewardship Team is embarking on a series of messages about stewardship which is a predominant theme of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation; from when God made man and woman stewards of Earth, to when God will make His children stewards of the new creation. To the extent that we put the biblical principles of stewardship into practice, we will enjoy the freedom and fulfillment that comes only from being the Lord’s servants. Look below for more info from the Stewardship Team.

Luke’s Gospel provides a wonderful portrait of the “heart of giving.” Beginning in 18:18, a rich young ruler approaches Jesus and asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus is patient with the young man and inquires if he’s upheld the commandments. Not truly understanding the depth of the commandments, and placing the bar for sin in his life far too low, the young man responds in the affirmative. Jesus then drives to the heart of the issue, the young man’s wealth and possessions. Even in the presence of the Lord, the rich ruler could not fathom walking away from what meant the most to him. He valued his wealth and status more than God, and had created an idol that certainly broke the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

As the young man dejectedly walks away, Jesus astonishes those with him by saying, “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:25).

The disciples are incredulous and perplexed, and ask Jesus then who can possibly get in, as they equated great wealth with favor and position in God’s Kingdom. But Jesus has one of the most heartening verses in response, “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

Moving on to chapter 19 in Luke, we get a vivid demonstration of the truth of verse 27. Jesus has an encounter with Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector and man of incredible wealth. Despised by all those around him as a sinner of the worst sort, Jesus nonetheless meets and stays with Zacchaeus. So moved by the love and acceptance of Jesus, Zacchaeus in essence offers to liquidate his massive holdings by giving it away to the poor and restoring to anyone he’s defrauded (and that line would likely be a long one!). How is this possible? We need look no further than Jesus’ declaration that with God all things are possible. Zacchaeus had a complete heart transplant in a manner of speaking, as his place in the kingdom of God became paramount. The wealth and estate no longer mattered, as the Lord showed Zacchaeus where his “true” treasure was located.

If you not only believe God’s wonderful promises, but also trust in them more and more daily, you can understand how Zacchaeus can respond in this fashion. The Lord promises us a place in His Kingdom, and in His presence. Can anything even remotely compare or compete with that? Hopefully you’d respond no to that question, as God continues to soften your heart, and helps you focus on what truly matters. God tells us that we are “sojourners,” and that our place is with Him. So don’t be discouraged, softening a heart is a lifetime work in progress! Just as Jesus encouraged the disciples, “with God all things are possible.”

We are heirs, and remember heirs don’t earn, they receive. To borrow a phrase, think about that.