Got Much, Give Much

Closets across the land are filled with favorite shirts that we just can’t bring ourselves to throw away, regardless of how faded or worn they may be. Mine is a t-shirt that promoted an Arkansas District youth camp theme, “You’ve Been Served,” circa 2006. That shirt has served me well for over 17 years, pun intended. But it is the quote on the back of the shirt that has prompted many questions and comments from people in the community over the years. The quote is inspired by Luke 12:48 and reads, “Got much, give much. – Dr Luke.” 

Jesus taught us that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). But are we prepared to give? How much effort do we put into being able to give? Do we discipline our spending habits in a way that allows us to respond generously to the financial needs of our neighbors?  If we wore a shirt that declared “You’ve Been Served,” would the shirt be telling a lie or sharing the truth about our lifestyle? 

The word stewardship is often used as a reference to money management. However, a deeper look at the concept shows us that we are to be wise stewards of our time, talent, and treasures. How we manage our time, our talents, and our money affects the kingdom, not to mention those around us. Everyone is given a different number of days to live, different types of skills to use, and different amounts of money to manage over our lifetimes. The wise stewardship of these things will allow God’s blessings to flow through us in bountiful measures. 

Why has God entrusted us with what we have? The answer to that question is revealed in why He gives us the fruit and gifts of the Spirit. None of the fruits and the gifts are ultimately for our own benefit. They are all designed to bless and edify others. He gives us spiritual blessings so we can encourage, strengthen, and comfort those around us. The same principle can be applied to time, talents, and treasures. We are to be conduits through which His blessings flow into the lives of others. Got much, give much. 

This principle is further described in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (New Living Translation). 

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.  And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

Generosity begins with stewardship. A “harvest of generosity” is dependent upon how seed is managed. If all seed is consumed, there will be nothing left to plant and, therefore, nothing to be harvested. Money spent frivolously cannot be donated to missions. Time wasted cannot be spent volunteering at a local food pantry. Skills left undeveloped cannot benefit the work of the kingdom. The size of the harvest of our lives is proportional to the measures we take to save, manage, and develop what God has given us. 

Farmers understand that a successful harvest is dependent upon their individual efforts to develop the land and distribute the seed that is under their care. No one can do the work for them. Each farmer is responsible for their own harvest. Their ability to give away food is dependent upon their ability to prepare, plant, and oversee the entire process. When every farmer accepts that responsibility and acts accordingly, generosity multiplies. Likewise, generosity in the kingdom is a matter of “collective responsibility.” No one individual is responsible for all matters of generosity in the church. Every member plays a vital role in the overall harvest. Like the mission of the UPCI proclaims, “The whole gospel, to the whole world, by the whole church.” 

The apostle Paul taught the church in Corinth that God intends for us to “always be generous” (2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT). Always implies a daily effort. Saving money, managing time, and developing skills cannot be one time events. Daily disciplines produce lifetime results. Disciplining yourself to stick to a budget, an hour-by-hour calendar, or a training schedule will result in benefits that extend far beyond your personal reach. Following these principles will produce a harvest of generosity in your life. 

I told my wife recently that it may be time to retire my favorite shirt, but only after I have a new one made to replace it. I want to be reminded every time I put it on that life is about serving others and doing as much as we possibly can with what God has given us. The phrase “You’ve been served” should describe the lifestyle of us all. Got much, give much – Dr. Luke.