Why does generosity seem to move so slowly in some parts of God's family? It is simple: we are afraid that if we give away our money, food, possessions, time and energy - there will not be enough left to meet our own needs! In these verses we overhear Jesus teaching His disciples not to worry about anything, because Father God is a giver by nature. Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" In giving Jesus as the Saviour of the world, He also promised to provide for all who believe in Him (John 16:27).
Make no mistake, salvation embraces all of our guilt and also all of our need. God cannot allow the subjects of His Kingdom to be destitute (Psalm 37:25). Indeed, He gives to us so that we can be His agents of mercy, so that we can pass it on to others too. Retaining it all for ourselves will deprive those around us of what they might need. All that we retain for ourselves will leak away like money in purses with holes; but if given away, the blessing will be multiplied, our daily needs satisfied and God will be glorified.
Jesus is not saying that the more you give the more you will get (He does not endorse the sort of ‘spiritual gambling’ that some leaders encourage to make themselves rich at the expense of the church people). But He does promise more than enough for each day. Where we can, He expects us to work for our living - citizens of Christ’s kingdom have a responsibility to use the resources He gives us in a way which will honour the King and meet the needs of others (Ephesians 4:28).
It starts to go wrong the moment we treasure His gifts as personally ours to retain for ourselves. If we treasure our personal security so much that we can never share, we are not treasuring the Lord who gives us all things. But if we love Him above all else, then what we have will be seen as His treasure to be used for whatever purpose will please Him (Matthew 13:44-46). That kind of lifestyle will give worry no place to breed and make us fools (Luke 12:13-21). If we trust the Lord for our daily supplies, then we don't need to spend anxious hours awake at night or be saturated by stress. That will be a great relief to us, and everybody around us too!
