Is generosity also part of your DNA?

written by Stephan Joubert

We cherish peoples’ last words. When we know we will never see them again, we eagerly drink in their last words. That’s why we need to take Acts 20 more seriously. Here Paul speaks one last time to the church leaders in Ephesus. He tells them how the Lord Jesus taught that it is better to give than to receive. And that, through his own hard work, he ensured that some poor folks could also live. One last time, Paul makes it clear that we should not only spread the gospel, but we also need to put bread on the tables of the poor. This forms part of our new DNA as followers of Christ.

Paul knew that sacrifice and generosity are at the heart of the gospel. He knew that the salvation route of Christ is one of giving. He who was rich became poor on our behalf (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus stripped Himself of his heavenly glory to serve us (Philippians 2:5-11). We who follow Him live on a new route of sacrifice and giving. Generosity and sacrifice are now our greatest pleasures. We can’t help it, since the Holy Spirit is continually busy with a heart transplant in our lives by putting the heart of Christ in us. The Spirit works out his resurrection life in our lives. We don’t want to and can no longer pathetically cling to our possessions, like the multitudes who are prisoners to this consumer culture. Our lives now play out in tune with Christ. That’s why one or two poor people can sleep warmer tonight – we worked harder so that they can also something to eat. That’s why one or two people are not as lonely as yesterday – their paths crossed ours’ today!

Prayer guideline

Read Acts 20 prayerfully this week. Contemplate it and make it part of your daily life.