God wants us to live a life that creates a generous output for others. But something has gone wrong. Most people live, not as givers, but takers. Life has become a matter of getting as many things as possible. This can even end up in people stealing from other people. Taking inevitably becomes a compulsive habit in our lives. You may not have stolen anything lately, but it is sobering to realise that theft is just the extreme form of this lifestyle of compulsive taking. If you are living anything other than a life of selfless generosity then you have fallen short of the spirit of this command. When I compare myself to a thief on the one hand and Jesus on the other, I may very well be closer to the thief than to Jesus in my character. We have all fallen short of God’s standard, but God forgives us and gives us grace and strength by his Spirit to turn and live a better life. That means a life of generosity. So, let’s endeavour to be givers not takers. Let’s not measure our success by how much we gain but by how much we give. Let’s measure our wealth, not by how much we have, but by how little we need. Be willing to receive from others and be eager to receive from God who wants to give generously to you. Find your contentment and joy in him so you will be able to say with the psalmist: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Set a new course for your heart towards a life of generosity.
Ask God to make you a more content and generous person.
Reflect on Exodus 20:15
