Read: II Corinthians 8:9
A couple of years ago, Forbes Magazine published an article about the most generous people on the planet. In order to narrow down their search, they confined their article to a very exclusive list of philanthropists—those who had donated $1 billion or more to charity in their lifetime. As you might imagine, the number of people on that list was pretty small. As a matter of fact, Forbes discovered that a total of 14 men and women had crossed the billion-dollar barrier in charitable contributions. They included:
- Bill Gates: According to Forbes, Gates’ giving “has really taken off since 1999 when he funded his family foundation with over $15 billion in Microsoft stock. Since then…the foundation has become the preeminent philanthropic institution in the world, granting out $3 billion a year.” Estimates peg his total charitable giving at $28 billion.
- Gordon Moore: The founder of Intel, Mr. Moore has also used his vast fortune to do some good in the world. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, founded in 2000, has given upwards of $6 billion to charities focused on scientific research and the environment.
- James Stowers: Though not a household name like Gates, he has an interesting story. A mutual stock tycoon, Mr. Stowers was featured on the Forbes 400 for years. His streak came to an end in 2000, however, because of the $1.2 billion gift he gave to start the Sowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City. He gave away so much of his money that he lost his place among the richest of the rich.
It goes without saying that these are all tremendous acts of generosity. Regardless of how much money you have in the bank, it can’t be easy to part with $28 billion. I doubt anyone would say that these men have been anything less than tremendously generous.
Yet, when I think of the most generous person who has ever lived, I don’t think of Gordon Moore. I don’t picture Bill Gates, either. No, my most generous person is someone else entirely. Interestingly, the man I have in mind didn’t have any money. He didn’t even have a home. He was a mere carpenter by trade. Most of his life was spent in abject poverty. That, however, never stopped him from giving all he could.
I’m talking, of course, about Jesus Christ.
When I think generosity, my mind immediately goes to Jesus. Though He had little money, I think Jesus gave more than anyone in history. Philippians 2:5-8 gives us a wonderful picture of just how generous Jesus could be:
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
From a purely human perspective, Jesus had nothing to be generous with. He had no real money or possessions to speak of. From a heavenly perspective, however, Jesus’ generosity cannot be overstated. He gave up so much of what was rightfully His to come to this planet.
Paul tells us in Philippians that Jesus lived in heaven’s throne room. He was “in very nature God.” He had all the rights and privileges of Deity. Yet, He gave that up to come down to this planet and live as a nomadic preacher. The One who lived in Heaven had no earthly home. As Jesus Himself said in Luke 9:58: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” Jesus generously left His home to come and be with us.
Jesus was also eternal. The opening verses of John’s Gospel tell us that He was with God when the world began. This creation is His very handiwork. Yet, when He came down to this planet, Jesus confined Himself to our time. He became hungry. He got tired. In the greatest act of sacrifice, the One who gave us life tasted death. He gave up eternity to die on a cross. In so doing, He generously provided a way for us to find forgiveness.
Jesus gave up the glory that was rightfully His. He set aside His power and put on human weakness. He gave up more than anyone else in human history. To the casual observer, it may have looked like He had little to offer anyone. Yet, it was His poverty that proved His generosity.
As followers of Jesus, then, His generosity ought to serve as an example for us. The way He gave to us should motivate us to give to others. We should sacrifice just as He sacrificed. That means setting aside what we think is rightfully ours and giving up some of those things we think we “deserve.” That’s what generosity is all about. If we’re truly going to be like Jesus, then we’re going to have to learn to be just as generous as He was.
Questions to Consider:
How would you describe Jesus’ generosity? What does this look like on a practical level in your own life?
Reread II Corinthians 8:9. How has Jesus made you “rich”? How can you share those “riches” with others?