A farmer had an abundant crop and was able to fill his barns completely. The farmer still had goods and grains needing stored, but he had no room in his barns. He decided he would build bigger barns so he could tightly hold on to everything he harvested. His plan was to save for years to come.

The farmer told himself, “I can relax, eat, drink, and be merry for years to come,” but the Lord, in Luke 12:20, said to him, “You fool, you will die this very night, then who will get everything you have worked for?”

Jesus goes on in Luke 12:21, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth, but not have a rich relationship with God.”

There is certainly nothing wrong with saving for retirement and being responsible with our money. In fact, Scripture encourages us to handle our wealth responsibly. Being generous is part of the responsibility we have in handling what we have been given.

Jesus says in Luke 12:15, “Beware, guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Proverbs 11:17 states, “Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.”

Solomon goes on in Proverbs 11, “Give freely and become wealthier. Be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

“Trust in your money and down you go, but the Godly flourish like leaves in spring,” Proverbs 11:28 continues.

Generosity is not an old-fashioned principle. The world is in need of generous people now more than ever. We can be generous with our time, our love, and our money. Jesus says it is better to give than receive. How will you be generous today?