A Wise Philosophy Of Life On Giving

The man who strives to get all the “gusto” he can, soon finds that he does not possess, but that he himself is possessed (Matthew 6:24; Romans 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19). He is intent on getting, not because he needs, but because he wants (Joshua 7:20-21).

He who tries to save for himself all that he can, becomes not a benefactor, but a miser. And all a miser does is "build bigger barns" to store his goods (Luke 12:18) and live out the Epicurean philosophy (Luke 12:19).

By contrast, he who gives all he can, lives in a new dimension (Mark 12:41-44). The wise man uses his gifts as a trust — not a possession (Luke 12:15).

Man is not the owner, but merely the steward of his earthly goods (Luke 12:41-44; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; Titus 1:7). His time, abilities, and possessions are a trust from God to be used for the benefit of mankind.

A wise philosophy of life on giving, would be to give freely, never counting the cost — but to give, simply for the pure joy of giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-5; cf. Exodus 36:1-7; Leviticus 22:29), remembering that we can never out-give God (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets