I had just turned six and was anticipating Christmas. I said to my mother, “I love Jesus so much — what could I give Him for Christmas?” “Nothing”, she responded. “Jesus already has everything.” While not exactly context sensitive, my mom hit on an important truth — Jesus is self-sufficient and can accomplish His work without us. At the same time, her answer wasn’t complete: Jesus wants us to be generous.
Scripture’s teachings on generosity present paradoxes, not prescriptions. We need to be willing to give up our possessions and yet, aren’t commanded to give them all away reflexively. How can we understand what God requires? Living in the way of Jesus requires understanding that giving Him our complete allegiance and love is paramount, because it’s good for us. A tree produces fruit when it has excellent growing conditions and is protected from pests. We will be healthy and generous when we say no to anything that distracts from following Jesus.
In the past my “generosity” came largely from guilt and obligation. Listening to Pastor Tim Keller’s sermons helped me see the corrosive power of idols. Keller describes idols as “good things that take on ultimate value” and become “functional saviors”. Family, health, education, money, service in the church are good. Allowing our love and concern for good things taking the place of Jesus, makes them idols. Keller asks: “Is there anything that, if it were lost, would mean your life had lost all meaning?” My overemphasis: on service and hard work in the church and at home and protecting my children, had become idols, making me anxious, just keeping me busy.
Instead of worrying, I can count on that “If something happens to my children, Jesus will be there.” When the Marshall fire was consuming hundreds of homes in Louisville and Superior, I paused before evacuating and imagined how I’d react if my home burned down. I told God He was my only source of life and hope and that my home was not an idol. Understanding that idols will leave me busy and empty has helped me put God first and allowed me to become truly generous.
Application:
Tim Keller’s book has helped me understand the power of idolatry and how to become free:
Meditate on this song by Audrey Assad and reflect:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=i+shall+not+want+audrey+assad
By Sherry Sommer
