We’re Going on a Bear Hunt^[1]

For several years I helped out in various groups that my children attended or family members ran, and one thing they all had in common was the use of the chant-aloud book that focused on a family going on a bear hunt.

At the time we didn’t consider how the bear would feel about being hunted, but as instructed we did pat our legs, wave our arms, grip the side of our face and respond to the sense of drama as the leader explained there was no avoiding the long grass in pursuit of the bear, and we would need to walk through the grass.

And before we look at anything else, I want us to walk through and examine the meaning of generosity. Generous giving takes us to a whole new realm where we give extravagantly of our time, talent and treasure. This is the adoption, the fostering of a lifestyle where we freely give to others out of our abundance.

The clever folks at The University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, tell us that the modern English word ‘generosity’ finds its origins in the Latin word generōsus, which means ‘of noble birth’. During the seventeenth century this changed, and generosity moved away from being applied to those of noble birth and was aligned more closely to a nobility of spirit. This continued to evolve, and during the eighteenth century the understanding of generosity was affiliated with the giving away of money and possessions. Rather concerning is the conclusion that today’s understanding of the word still carries remnants of its historical meaning and leaves some feeling excused from practising generosity because of their ‘more ordinary perceived status’.^[2]

Thankfully this is not what we see in Scripture.

One of my favourite passages is Matthew 25:34-40:

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

As a more literal translation from the Greek of ‘you who are blessed by my Father’ is actually ‘blessed ones who belong to my Father’, the only barrier I see to generosity being practised, if you are a Christian, is faith and belief.^[3] As we proceed through this book, you will read many inspiring and obtainable examples of others’ faith and belief.

The financial generosity survey that accompanies this book contained the question, ‘On a scale of 1-10 (1 being low, 10 being high), how generous would you rate yourself?’ That’s a tough question! However, the average score was 7.32, which is above midway and, if I’m being honest, higher than I’d guessed it would be. But I wonder what it would take to move that score up to 8.32, 9.32 or even a full-on 10? What needs to happen to close the gap and be someone who actively seeks opportunities to be abundantly generous?

As Christians have a history of generosity, could it be higher?

To answer this question, bear with me as I attempt to take you back in time. To set the scene, we need to remember that the whole Bible bears witness to the generous nature of God, so let’s start with Scripture.

Psalm 145:8-9 declares:

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

While Proverbs 14:31 proclaims:

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.

That is our God! Later on, in James 2:14-17 we are informed:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Such strong words and an unmistakable call to act generously – ‘faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead’. Take a moment to think about that, to really let the words – and more importantly, the implications of the words – sink in.

Today, we are immersed in a culture that has been deeply impacted by the Christian worldview. An example of this is if I were to share that as a family we sponsor two children, regularly give to charity and respond to ad hoc needs, you wouldn’t be surprised, as we are used to charitable giving. Our ‘junk’ mail, magazines and TV adverts are full of inspirational, heartbreaking causes needing our financial support. Many of the great charities we unwittingly rely on as a country would close without support. What may be surprising is that this level of empathy was not ‘the norm’ in the pre-Christian pagan world.

Jesus’ teaching that His followers were to love their enemies and show mercy to all was revolutionary in His day, and, to be honest, is radical today. In pagan culture, compassion for the needy was often regarded as foolish. When people gave gifts, they tended to be conditional gifts with the expectation that something such as public honour and recognition would be given in return.

Then along came Christianity, and culture began to change

History tells us Christianity spread rapidly during the first three centuries in the face of opposition and persecution. Experts think that there were probably no more than a few thousand Christians in AD 40, but by AD 300 they represented 10 per cent of the Roman Empire, approximately six million people, and by AD 350 that figure was more than thirty million.[4] This is an eyewatering level of growth. How fantastic would it be if Christianity began to grow at that level again? Churches needing to reopen, multiple services taking place throughout the week and every seat being taken. Picture the wave of love that would sweep through the land. Visualise with me Christians in prominent, influential positions in every sector, speaking positively into the lives of those they come into contact with. Let’s take a minute to send an arrow prayer for revival (but minus the opposition and persecution if that is possible!).

If the experts are correct and by AD 350 there were more than thirty million Christians in the Roman Empire, this would have accounted for just over 50 per cent of the population. We have the Bible; we know these Christians were far from perfect, but our God is awe-inspiring and can use whatever we give Him to grow His kingdom and populate heaven.

Sociologist Rodney Stark credits the Christian ethic of compassion and care as being a major factor for this growth and paints a bleak picture of the misery and brutality of life in the urban Greco-Roman world:

To cities filled with the homeless and impoverished, Christianity offered charity as well as hope. To cities filled with newcomers and strangers, Christianity offered an immediate basis for attachments. To cities filled with orphans and widows, Christianity provided a new and expanded sense of family. To cities torn by violent ethnic strife, Christianity offered a new basis for social solidarity. And to cities faced with epidemics, fires and earthquakes, Christianity offered effective nursing services.^[5]

In a world where infanticide and child abandonment were defended by influential intellectuals such as Aristotle, Cicero and Seneca, Christians stepped in and got their hands dirty saving, rescuing and loving unwanted children.

As a child, one of my favourite cartoons was about a tall, skinny, white mouse called Danger Mouse and his sidekick, Penfold. This unlikely duo would get into all sorts of adventures but, without fail, Danger Mouse would leave unscathed after saving those who needed to be saved. The Danger Mouse theme tune was incredibly catchy and reinforced the belief that he would rescue those who were facing danger. This sounds like the early Christians.

Their response to need was radically countercultural and grounded in Jesus’ teachings about human dignity and being made in God’s image. It’s impossible to know for every individual and situation, but I would guess their boldness was empowered by the Holy Spirit!

Long before Constantine legalised Christianity, the Church had created a system of social assistance, abundant generosity, that no pagan state had ever provided. The Church became the first organised institution of public welfare in Roman and Western history. In fact, Christians have done so much to shape the world we live in that one author has declared, ‘A world from which the gospel had been banished would surely be one in which millions more of our fellows would go unfed, un-nursed, unsheltered and uneducated.’^[6]

The emperor Julian the Apostate lamented that the Christians, whom he hated, showed love and compassion, whereas his pagan countrymen did not. He famously stated, ‘the impious Galileans support not only their own poor but ours as well’.[7]

Irrespective of the culture we find ourselves in, like our Christian ancestors we are called to a higher standard. Matthew 5:13-16 tells us we are called to be salt and light and to make an impact. We are called to be people of abundant, extravagant generosity.

Let’s talk about time, talent and treasure

Our God is amazing, He is worthy of honour and He calls us to a lifetime of development, a lifetime of growth because He loves us too much to leave us as we are. We are to become less, and He is to become more.[8] Because of who He is, He is worthy of us giving extravagantly of our time, talent and treasure. If we look at these individually:

Time is self-explanatory – a giving of our personal time invested in something that will benefit others.

Talent – the ways we identify and deploy our talents for the benefit of others.

Treasure – how we give extravagantly from what we own.

Written like this, time, talent and treasure seem fairly ineffectual. However, to help bring them to life and to showcase the power they can wield, I’m going to share a few stories. We’re still back in time, and I want to encourage you to look for the time, talent and treasure in each of the stories below. Let’s start with Basil of Caesarea.

Basil lived in what is now Turkey, from AD 329 to 379, and was a prominent, successful and gifted law teacher. When he became a Christian, his life was turned around and took on new meaning, and he gave away his personal family inheritance to help the poor. He stopped being a teacher of the law and became a sower of the seed. As a church leader in Caesarea, he organised a soup kitchen and distributed food during a famine that came on the heels of a drought. Serving food wasn’t the most prestigious of roles for a man in the ancient world and was a humongous social demotion from being a lawyer.

Basil no longer cared about earthly expectations and spent his time working to rehabilitate thieves and prostitutes, and used his legal knowledge to challenge public officials if they failed to administer justice. Every morning and evening he could be found sharing the Word of God to large congregations. In addition to all his other activities, Basil supervised the building of a huge complex which included a poorhouse, hospice and hospital.

Where was the time, talent, and treasure?

A more modern example is Thomas Jones (1752-1845), who was a Welsh clergyman. Thomas was driven away from his parish church in Wales in 1785 because his parishioners were embarrassed by his ‘enthusiasm’. Eventually he became curate of a tiny hamlet of forty-six houses in Northamptonshire and ministered faithfully for forty-three years.

From that humble base he transformed the surrounding community. He wrote devotional books in English and Welsh with all the profits being ploughed into charitable enterprises. He was the founder of Sunday schools, elementary (‘Dame’) schools, Sick Clubs and Clothing Clubs; he built six alms houses for aged widows; he founded an Education Society which enabled fifty evangelical laymen to enter the ministry. He created a wonderfully named ‘Society for Poor Pious Clergymen’ and he managed to raise funds to distribute more than £35,000 to clergy more needy than himself – his annual stipend was £25.

Did you see the time, talent and treasure?

One last example. History tells us modern nursing dates to the pioneering practice of an order of Lutheran deaconesses in Northern Germany in 1836. This seems like a bold claim but becomes even bolder when we read that it all started with Pastor Theodor Fliedner who gave refuge to one poor, sick and destitute prisoner and nursed him in his own home. Pastor Theodor then established a hospital with a hundred beds and trained poor women as nurses. His hospital and the professional care given became so famous throughout Europe that by the middle of the twentieth century, there were more than 35,000 deaconesses serving in parishes, schools, hospitals and prisons throughout the world.

In all three examples the time, talent and treasure of individuals aided by God was revolutionary and world-changing.

Can you see the higher standard that Jesus calls us to?

Generosity is fascinating, and some of us are better at it than others, although we all have the potential to be superstars in this area. However, sometimes we need to adapt our expectations. An example of this was when I shared at a Christian Union event in a prestigious London university. I was advised dinner would be provided, and was looking forward to what would be served. When it arrived, ‘dinner’ was individual cereal boxes with milk poured straight into the box, with the cereal being eaten from tiny wooden spoons. To a middle-aged woman, this doesn’t constitute dinner. But to the students who attended, this was a stupendous, tasty and generous meal, with many having second and third helpings. In this scenario I needed to adapt, enlarge and contextualise my expectation of generosity.

While generosity comes in many guises and differing amounts, whether it can be called generosity is dependent on what it has cost the giver. A general overview of generosity could be described as the willingness to do kind things or to share what we have freely. This description sits comfortably with the responses I received to the survey question, ‘How would you describe generosity?’, the important addition being those who responded to the survey recognised and acknowledged the influence of God alongside the desire to enhance the well-being of the receiver in obedience to God.

Here are some of the survey responses describing the vast subject that is generosity:

Giving sacrificially when you see a need or are inspired by God to give.

Being obedient with what God has given you in its fullest sense.

Giving what God has given you to bless or help someone else.

Unexpectedly giving to others to meet a need or bring a blessing.

Recognising everything we have is God-given and using the money you have to bless others.

A natural part of the Christian life.

Giving to God and giving to others out of the blessing we have been given.

A recognition of all that God has given and a desire to be part of His provision to others.

Seeking the smile of God.

A recognition of all that God has given me and a desire to be part of His provision to others.

Giving away freely from the good that God has given to me for the sake of others, and for His glory.

That God plays such a prominent part in some of the responses isn’t a surprise, as those who answered the survey question ‘practising generosity is an important part of the Christian discipleship journey’ unanimously responded that yes, it is.

Dream with me for a minute and imagine a world where every believer is outrageously generous with what they have; what a world it would be! With more funds to provide additional resources, how would your church and church family benefit? Possibly more outreaches impacting those in the local community, a bigger building, extra staff? Maybe none of these would suffice because God has something bigger, better and new for you, something you are currently unable to dream or imagine.

Coming back to the description of generosity, some responses didn’t specifically name God but had His generosity at the heart of the response. Here are a few examples:

Giving in a way that falls outside what the person expects or asks.

Going above and beyond to help those who need you.

Being generous with words, time, skills, abilities and finance.

Giving without counting the cost.

It’s an attitude first, and an action second. It starts in the heart and travels to the head and gut!

A practical demonstration of love.

Giving beyond obligation.

While reading through these responses I felt humbled and grateful to be part of a community with generosity at its core. I also felt challenged to explore my own motivations for generosity, and must admit they are not always pure.

On reflection, I realised I am not wholly selfless in my giving and am more likely to give to a cause or a person where I’ll feel an element of satisfaction. This may be because I immediately see the benefit of my gift or it’s a cause close to my heart. Either way, the essence of who I am, unless I receive a nudge from God, will always steer my generosity. As God has made me, knows me and continues to guide me, I am comfortable with this revelation, with the caveat that my will never overrides His.

For most of us, we probably don’t need more than a few seconds to remember an act of generosity enacted, directed or witnessed within the last few months.

Question 10 of the survey I circulated asked for stories of generosity. Here are a few of the responses:

Early days of marriage we wanted to get on housing ladder but had no deposit. One day I met an old lady in need and gave the money in my pocket £20 which I really needed. That night a knock on the door and some friends came in and gave us £3K towards a deposit. The next day someone else offered a £3K interest free loan; £6K is what we needed back then and were able to secure a mortgage! God is faithful.

I have been the recipient of others’ generosity over the years both practically and financially. Many years ago, when the Poll Tax was in force, I didn’t have enough money to pay it one month. I hadn’t mentioned this to anyone but an envelope was popped through my door with the exact amount in cash inside.

It’s God’s attention to detail that always gets me more than the amounts. Our daughter's wedding was happening and we were £400 short to make the final payment to the music group doing the reception. We had to pay the band in cash. As the week leading up to the wedding went on, we still didn't have any funds. We didn't tell anyone, just kept praying. On the day before the wedding, I came home at lunchtime and found an envelope through the door – in it was £400... in cash! If it had been a cheque, we couldn’t have banked it in time to get the cash out – so God provided in cash.

I love these stories of generosity; they warm my heart and make me smile. We know God is interested in every aspect of our lives and, for me, these stories are concrete proof of that fact.

A mantra that almost every fundraiser I know practises is that ‘generosity breeds generosity’. When we see someone doing something good, an act that benefits another, whether it’s logical or illogical, it encourages us to do the same. We see this in 1 Chronicles 29:2-5 where David tells those assembled:

With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God – gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colours, and all kinds of fine stone and marble – all of these in large quantities. Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen.

Then he issues the challenge:

Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?

The challenge was big, and so was the response as everyone generously gave materials that could be used to build the temple. And the giving didn’t end there, as we read in verse 21:

The next day they made sacrifices to the Lord and presented burnt offerings to him: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand male lambs, together with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.

Generosity is contagious

Generosity often spreads and infects others, which has the potential to impact individuals, churches, communities, counties, even a nation for the glory of God. That’s something I want to be part of!

It even has the potential to impact us. In our efforts to be generous givers, moving beyond our comfort zone and giving sacrificially, we demonstrate and deepen our trust in God to provide for our need.

To finish this chapter, I want to share a personal story that happened recently. This story doesn’t particularly show me in a good light, but it does highlight the wisdom and love of our heavenly Father.

The story begins following a long, nine-hour train journey, where I departed from the train on to the platform in a terrible mood. I was tired, hungry and desperate to get home to my husband and children. It felt like every person walking in front of me was part sloth and had decided that they would all take it in turns to block my way and slow my journey. I had another train to catch, the clock was ticking and I was fighting against the urge to use my suitcase as a path-clearing bulldozer. None of this made me happy and, with a face like a camel eating a lemon, and an attitude to match, I exited the train station and heard a busker singing the Bethel song ‘Goodness of God’.[9] If you’re not familiar with this song, part of the lyrics talk about God’s goodness and how we respond by surrendering to Him, laying down our life and giving Him our all. Powerfully challenging words.

Hearing this song stopped me in my tracks. I forgot about the train I needed to catch, the gnawing feeling in my stomach and the sloth-like fellow travellers as I was struck by God’s amazing, limitless and unwarranted generosity. The lyrics in this song refocused me, the light contained in these words melted away the darkness that was surrounding and within me. My gratitude to God spilled out in me being financially generous to the busker who had taken the time to share God’s love through worship.

As I don’t believe in coincidence, I wholeheartedly believe this was God’s providence. I know I wouldn’t have been the only person who benefited from the busker and the songs he was singing, but I do believe that my heavenly Father, who gives good, generous gifts, delighted in giving me the gift of peace that evening.

Questions

• As mentioned, in the survey that was circulated, the average score relating to how generous each participant rated themselves was 7.32. What score would you give yourself and why?
• How do you use your time, talent and treasure? Was there a particular story that impacted you?
• Do you believe practising generosity is an important part of the Christian discipleship journey? Why do you believe this and where (if anywhere) do you see it being lived out?
• There is a long list of responses to the question, ‘How would you describe generosity?’ Is there a response that resonates with you? How would you answer this question in your own words?
• As you think back over your own experiences, what act of generosity stands out for you? How do you understand ‘generosity breeds generosity’?

[1] We're Going on a Bear Hunt is a British chant-aloud children’s book written by Michael Rosen (London: Walker Books, 1993).

[2] www.generosityresearch.nd.edu/more-about-the-initiative/what-is-generosity (accessed 6th June 2023).

^[3] www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/25.htm (accessed 21st June 2023).

[4] Rodney Stark, 1996, The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1996), pp. 7-10.

[5] Stark, The Rise of Christianity, p. 161.

[6] David Bentley Hart, Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2009), p 16.

[7] christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/the-undeserving-poor (accessed 29th June 2023).

[8] See John the Baptist’s words in John 3:30.

[9] Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson. From the album Victory (2019).