It is not always true that generosity is the grace of kings. It ought to be, but as Paul remarked to the Corinthians, it was the “deep poverty” of the Macedonian Christians coupled with “the abundance of their joy” that “abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2 Cor. 8:2).
Of course, if the truth were known, those humble believers in Macedonia actually were kings. As am I! I’m so rich I’ve no idea how much I have. My Father is the most wealthy and the most generous Person in the universe (Rom. 8:32). And all of my brothers and sisters equally share in the bounty (Acts 20:32). We will never get to the end of it; we’ll never get over it.
Of course when I arrived on this planet almost fifty years ago, I did not even have a set of clothes to my name (1 Tim. 6:7). If others had not come to my aid, I would have perished.
As I grew, I came to discover how dismal my situation really was (Eph. 2:12). I was spiritually bankrupt with no way of diminishing the debt load (Lk. 7:42); in fact, my indebtedness grew every day. But then I heard about a fabulously wealthy prince (Rev. 1:5) who had taken pity on me and–I can hardly believe it still–died for me, impoverishing Himself in the process (2 Cor. 8:9). And in His will He left me everything He had (Heb. 9:15-16)! In fact, He made it possible for me to become a member of the royal family (Eph. 2:6).
One of the seeming misunderstandings among the members of heaven’s royalty at present is assuming that our inheritance cannot be accessed until we get Home. It is true that your inheritance is “reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4). But we have already received “the earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:14) which is hardly a small portion. It is, in fact, the Holy Spirit Himself! Already we have dipped into the treasure troves labeled “the exceeding riches of His grace” (Eph. 2:7) and the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8).
What does this mean, practically? How can I live frugally and yet spend lavishly on others–“as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10)?
My grandmother Nicholson was a wee Scots woman whose face shone with the reflected light of heaven. She never had much in this world. She looked after other people’s children, cleaned other people’s houses and washed other people’s clothes. But after I began preaching she would often squeeze a $5 bill into my hand.
“Aw, Grandma,” I would protest, “I have enough. You keep it.”
With a smile I can still see after many years, she would say, “Now, Son, I’m just investing in a little real estate in heaven.”
When we children were younger, Grandma often came over on a Friday night to give my folks a night out. Just before she tucked us in, we would kneel by the bedside. I can still remember one request she would pray for us: “May these children always have enough to be generous.”
Yes, we can afford to be generous. Why do we give away words of encouragement as if they cost a thousand dollars a piece? Would that there were more Barnabases among us who would be as spontaneous and reckless in dispensing their treasures as God has been generous with us. He is, after all, the God who loves a cheerful (Gk., hilarious–spontaneous, not with a bargaining spirit) giver.
So substantial are these unsearchable riches that Paul made it his life’s work to invite everyone he met to share the mother lode with him (Eph. 3:8-9). Your stake in heaven’s wealth is not diminished by giving it away. In reality, dispensing it is the very way we come into the enjoyment of it.
Has your appreciation of heaven’s riches waned? Go show some of them to a new believer. You’ll be the beneficiary. You’ll catch their excitement in the discovery.
Go ahead. Take heaven’s challenge. Try to outgive God. No one has been able to do it yet. Nor will they ever, for He is “no man’s debtor.” Live like a king. Spread the wealth. You have enough to be generous.