Liberality

Often we describe ourselves as being religiously conservative. In this, we mean that we strive to adhere strictly to the Bible, and not go beyond what is said. Which is something that the Bible certainly teaches us (Revelation 22:18-19, II John 9, Deuteronomy 4:2, etc.). But did you know that in some ways, we are to be liberal?

And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8 (NASU)

He who gives should give with liberality. In other words, when helping someone (immediate context indicates financially, but the concept surely applies to all other forms of helping), we should not be stingy. We should be willing to give as much of ourselves as necessary.

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
II Corinthians 8:1-5 (NASU)

The brethren in Macedonia are commended here for their willingness to send aid to brethren who were in need. In fact, they desired so much to help that they begged to be able to give, and were willing to give beyond what they could really afford! Are we so willing to help others who are in need? Are we so willing to give liberally when we see opportunity?

We also see that they gave first to the Lord. Another place in which we should give liberally is to the Lord, and in service to God. When we give to the Lord's treasury on the first day of the week (and at other times that we give to others) , we should give according to II Corinthians 9:7, and give cheerfully. This passage also teaches us to give as we have determined in our hearts. That is, it is a free will offering. Not a mandatory tithe. Not a set amount or percentage. It is what we have determined in our hearts to give. Our giving on the first day should also be in keeping with I Corinthians 16:2, and be in keeping with how we have been blessed by God. God does not expect us to sell all that we have and give all of our funds to Him (see also Acts 5:1-11), but only what we can afford, and in keeping with what we have earned.

Are we giving liberally? Not only on the first day of the week, as we have the example in II Corinthians, but each day. Are we giving liberally? Are we begging to be able to help other people as they have need? Sometimes we cannot afford to give. But when we can, what do we do? Are we giving liberally and cheerfully, or when we give is it done grudgingly and wishing you could spend it on something else? Let us be liberal in this!