GenerositySample

A Generous Life 

"He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." 2 Corinthians 5:15

In this passage, Paul makes a categorical statement, that Jesus died for us so that we no longer live for ourselves, but for Jesus. If, we are no longer living for ourselves, as Paul says here, why then do we work and do the various chores that we do through the day.

Colossians 1:16, says that all things, visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, principalities and powers were created by Jesus and for Jesus. This means that all the professions we work in, the companies and governmental hierarchies, and any other power structure, were created by Jesus and for His purposes. When we work there, we need to find out what Jesus’ purpose was for these power structures.

One key insight given by Peter Drucker was that the world did not fulfil the Malthusian prophecy of mass starvation because of the scientific developments which increased the productivity of the land. This makes us understand, that God provides for the needs of mankind, and He does this through the different professions that exist.

If that be the case, one reason we work is to provide for the needs of mankind and to be a blessing to society. Paul says that such work deserves to be paid a wage, but that is not the motivation behind the work. Through the work God provides for us.

With this understanding, we see that the whole structure of work is shared generosity, where every individual fulfils a part of God’s overall purpose. Our focus is on serving our clients, internal to the organization and external to the organization. That is our vocation or call. Incidentally, God also provides for us through this vocation.

Is your life based on generosity, or seeking the material for personal security?