Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

II GENEROUS - 4,5 Things Go Well

• “When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.” (4)

This light is Yahweh himself who arrives like a spiritual dawn to the worshiper who is facing the dark- ness of this world. “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.” (Mal. 4:2) Jesus claims this reference to be of himself: “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”(Jn. 8:12) There is a continual dawn promised to those delighting in the Lord. • “They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.” (4) It is said of the Lord in Psalm 111:4 that he is “gracious (generous) and merciful (compassionate)” and now the believer reflects these qualities in their own life. From the inner richness that develops out of a love relationship with Christ comes acts of compassion and generosity. Jesus taught us: “I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a re- ward for you in heaven.” (Lk. 16:9) • “All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.” (5) The righteous person has a generous spirit that is evidenced by their willingness to lend freely to those in need. The true spirit of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is reflected in their actions: “Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.” (Mt. 5:42) While generosity is the purpose in life, discretion or wisdom in handling finances determines the volume of wealth we will be able to share. The righteous person makes every effort to: “…guide his affairs with discretion.” (5, NKJ) • “Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances. Those who are righteous will be long remembered.” (6) Because true riches are internal, adversity will not be able to dislodge the treasure from the hearts of those who imitate Christ. The life of Jesus within insulates us from the evil without. History favors the memory of those who have contributed positively to the human drama. In the end of all things the memory of the wicked will be forgotten. • “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.”(7) One of the benefits of the ‘fear of the Lord’ is that there is no room to fear anything else. It is a positive motivation in the heart that cancels all other negative reports. Such a person can feel the emotion of fear They not only overcome the inward human tendency to be afraid, they are pro-active and face each enemy with courage. True faith not only defends but also turns the battle to the offensive. God told Joshua: “I command you–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Josh. 1:9) • “They give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will never be forgotten. [Their right- eousness endures forever. NIV] They will have influence and honor.” (9) This verse quoted in 2 Corinthians becomes the foundation for Paul’s teaching on generosity that is motivated after the example of Christ: “You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” (2 Cor. 8:9) Paul, directed by the Holy Spirit, begins to instruct us on how to give generously: • Give sacrificially- “Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity.” (2 Cor. 8:2) • Give proportionately- “Give whatever you can according to what you have.” (2 Cor. 8:11) • Give willingly- “But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given under pressure.” (2 Cor. 9:5) • Give generously- “But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (2 Cor. 9:6) • Give cheerfully- “For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.” (2 Cor. 9:7) Paul then reminds us of the benefits of giving quoting Psalm 112:9: the small seed in the Old Testament becomes a mighty plant of generosity in the New: • God will provide abundantly for you- “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others, as the scriptures say, (quoting Ps. 112:9) ‘Godly people give generously to the poor.’” (2 Cor. 9:8, 9) • Giving produces richness within us- “…he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity (righteousness) in you.” (2 Cor. 9:10) and yet not fear it at all because their trust in God overrides the temptation to panic. • “They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.” (8) III GOOD DEEDS - They Win in Life- 6-9

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