My son and I sat in the booth waiting on our breakfast. We were the only ones in the restaurant. A friendly server came to our table and took our order. A short time later, we removed our masks as she set down our plates. I asked her if the sparse crowd was typical since they reopened. She acknowledged that it was and added, “It’s kind of scary.” We had driven by one small restaurant recently closed on the way. I could understand her fear.
My friend writes me each month from a different place in the United States. She writes on lovely stationary with real ink. Lately she has been writing from home a lot. My friend and her husband follow God’s call to travel around the world and minister in preaching, singing and children’s ministry. They’ve been to many states and countries. She never complains about their loss of income. I get glowing reports of how God has provided once again. I have seen the cancellations of live events, meetings, services and conferences. I admire her faith.
If you expected this was a political post due to the title, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I really don’t care what your political position is. This post is about our Biblical positions. II Corinthians 9 talks about giving generously. It’s a great read, but one of the last verses captured my attention:
“…by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men..”
If you read the whole chapter, “this ministration” is talking about our generous giving. The Bible says our giving should be liberal. Why? Because it works along with the gospel to bring glory to God and minister to others.
Right now, we have to be cautious about spreading a virus in the midst of a pandemic. We are unable to reach out and hug someone or even shake their hand. Our smiles are covered by a mask. We are keeping to ourselves in an effort to keep others safe. Maybe you think these steps are necessary to love others, maybe you scoff at them or maybe you feel like your personal freedoms are encroached upon.
Regardless of your political position on the current pandemic, what is your heart position? While we are stopping the spread, can we still spread generosity? While we are covering our faces, can we uncover our resources and our time? While events and places of businesses are closing, can we open up our hearts and maybe even our minds?
People around us are hurting from lost jobs, unplanned hospital visits, cut hours, funerals and the accompanying expenses they hadn’t expected, and canceled events on which their livelihoods depended. Churches, charities, organizations, businesses…..they are unable to reach out in the same way due to loss of resources. Maybe you are a person affected. But maybe you and I can affect a change for a person?
If you’re a child of God, He will direct you on how to give liberally to others in need during this time. Can I just suggest a few practical things you may not have considered? Take them to God, and see if He’s calling you to be liberal in one of these ways:
- Tip liberally. Some of those affected the most by this pandemic are those delivering food to your door or your table. They are working for places which have lost business and may not have the hours they need to provide for their families. You may not like the tipping system. You may feel like paying for your food is enough. But I challenge you to add 5 or 10% (or more!) to the amount you normally tip. Those few extra dollars may be a stepping stone to hope for a worn-out server or pizza delivery person.
- Give above your tithe. If you follow the Biblical principle of tithing, you know it means to give 10% to your church to support its needs in the same way that you pay taxes to pay for the roads you drive, etc. However, liberal giving suggests that you give extra to your church during this time of uncertainty. Maybe you can give extra money or maybe you can just donate some extra items you have so the church doesn’t have to purchase them.
- Remember the saints. Saint is an archaic word which we generally only associate with ancestors or the Catholic church. However, the Bible calls all Christians saints. If you know someone whose ministry is stalled right now, send them a gift, or a note of encouragement or maybe even make them a special dessert they don’t have the resources to make right now. Look around your church and see if your brothers and sisters are in a season of loss. Give to their need as you can.
- Give liberally to “all men”. This is such a divisive world right now. We all have deeply held beliefs and strong opinions. To be honest, we have given enough of those opinions. What would happen if, instead, we gave a smile and a kind word to the one who is different from us? If we gave a listening ear to someone who does not agree with us?
Luke 6: 38 says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”