Tag: charity

The Relationships Of Generosity

Neal Pollard

     I never cease to be amazed at the generosity of some people. Their capacity and faith for giving seems endless, yet their cheerfulness under such circumstances defies the understanding of man. While I have known so many generous people, I am humbled by my parents. Living on a very limited income for most of their adult lives, starting the life in preaching back in the mid-1960s, they have constantly poured out from that limited reserve abundantly upon others. I cannot count the number of poor families for whom they have bought a week’s worth of groceries. They often spent whatever Christmas bonus they received plus so much more, buying gifts for members. They have lent assistance to needy family and church members. They refused raises, asking instead that the increase go to support a missionary. That continues in their modest retirement years.

     This is on top of their regular contribution. I could write pages of material, giving specific examples of extraordinary good they have done with relatively little. The question that dominates my thinking is, “How have they developed such a giving spirit?” The answer that recently hit me is “relationship.”

     They have a proper relationship with people. It takes a servant’s heart, a heart which acts in love and concern for one’s fellowman, to so generously give. When we see our task as helping people however we can, we will give. We will give each Sunday, and we will find ways to give in our private opportunities.

     They have a proper relationship with money. What grace it requires to see money as a tool and a servant, a commodity used to live but also to give. Hoarders hurt, but sharers shine. Frivolity is sinful. Generosity is a grace. They, like Paul, have known abundance, though more often they have suffered want (Phil. 4:10ff). Whichever lot was theirs at the time, they seemed just as joyful and full of peace. They are savers, but they are also givers. They live well within their means, but they give well beyond their ability (2 Cor. 8:1ff).

     They have a proper relationship with God. Their sentiment is like one I once heard expressed by a gospel preacher. He said, “God will always give us the exact amount of money we need.” If we trust that the God who made us and remade us through Christ is control of it all, we know He will supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19). If we see ourselves as His stewards (managers, 1 Cor. 4:2), we will happily serve as a conduit of generosity.

     God has not caused their generosity to impoverish them. To the contrary, they live as close to debt-free as people can in our society. God has blessed them with things that man would find impossible to believe they could own in the wake of such bountiful benevolence and generous giving. What a lesson they serve to all of us to understand the relationships of generosity. 

Thanks, Dad and Mom.

Gary and Brenda Pollard will celebrate their 60th Anniversary this Friday (6/21/24)

Giving To The Least, We Give The Most!

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

He was eight years old when his parents divorced, leaving his mom with a total of eight children to take care of. The family needed financial help, so his mother contacted the church in the small town where they lived. The church provided them some assistance, and to show gratitude the woman and the children attended a few services. Soon, she took her family back to the denomination they were members of, but she had heard enough gospel preaching in that short period of time to become dissatisfied with the teaching she was now hearing. The preacher and an elder from that benevolent body of believers studied with and baptized the lady. Since this woman could not drive, different families from church would come and pick this large family up. This continued on. The boy and his siblings, nurtured in such an environment, were all influenced by gospel teaching and preaching. Many of them would also obey the gospel through time.

Then, he was a young husband and father, working for the Post Office, when he decided he wanted to attend a school of preaching and train to share the good news with others. Now, some decades later, he has spent years as a gospel preacher, professional counselor, missionary, preacher trainer, and professor. Not long ago, there was a vacancy in the pulpit of the church where he learned the gospel. The elders reached out to him and asked if he would consider taking the job. He did. Now, he is in the community preaching and teaching the lost and building up that body. Every soul he was won, every soul the countless men he has trained have won, and every one he has encouraged who has brought others to Jesus are all fruit to their account (cf. Phil. 4:17). 

The moral of this story is not to shame congregations into practicing the reactive “benevolence” they are solicited to provide by those “frequent fliers” who professionally panhandle. It is a reminder, though, that we all know people in our community who suffer losses and are in genuine need. God has always expected His people to be benevolent, individually and collectively. He tells the church at Galatia, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). James praises Christians as practitioners of pure religion who help those in need (Js. 1:27). Not everyone helped will obey the gospel, but when God’s people share the love of Jesus things like I’ve described will happen. Who knows how many will wind up on the Lord’s right side at the Judgment because we showed kindness and met needs, which opened people’s hearts to the gospel? Let’s find out! 

“WHEN HE GOT SICK”

Thursday’s Column: Carlnormous Comments

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Carl Pollard

I couldn’t help but notice all the different reactions from people when the president got sick last week. I found myself reading several media outlets that released articles saying they were hoping he would die. They went on to say that he was old and obese and the chances were pretty high that he wouldn’t recover. Other articles criticized his choices, and some were cheering him on. And this was the case on both sides of the fence. Some were hoping that the president would die, and others were hoping that the other one running for election would contract COVID and die as well.
 
While we should never wish death upon someone (no matter our political views), it stuck out to me what these people were doing. They were cheering and getting excited at the thought of someone dying. This isn’t the first time this has happened. Mankind as a whole has a tendency to let hate take over and control their lives. No matter the situation, the time period, or the culture, we always tend to get consumed with hatred. So much so that we find ourselves cheering and getting excited at the thought of someone we don’t like dying.
 
This hatred is out of control. This is the very reason a crowd cheered on as the Son of God was tried and sentenced to death. This hatred is the very reason this crowd grew excited at the thought of killing the Messiah.
 
No matter what our views are we all have one thing in common. We are the reason Christ was crucified. Our sin problem is the reason nails were driven into His body. And even after God sent His Son for a sinful world, we are going right back to what hung Jesus on the cross in the first place. Hatred.
 
It can seem in some places like the church is splitting apart. Congregations are fighting and bickering. Hatred flows in the comment section on social media. What kind of example is that for those in the world? What encouragement does that bring to God’s family?
 
Every part of our lives should be totally consumed by the greatest commandments. “Love the Lord your God…” and “love your neighbor” (Matt. 22:36-40). If we would listen to these two commands, our opinions would come second to love. And hatred for one another would be a problem of the past.
 
Not to sound like a hippie, but love cures everything. Love God, love people and love His Church. John 13:34-35. 

Seeing Through Others’ Eyes

Neal Pollard

What is the greatest trial?
What do men so despise?
The hardest climb and dreariest mile
Is seeing through another’s eyes.

It may appear uncomplicated,
Completely cut and dry,
But our skills may be overrated,
As we try to see through the other’s eye.

We don’t know what they’re thinking
Can’t know their circumstance
Or how abruptly their heart is sinking
From our outward, presumptuous glance

Their motivation quite hidden,
About their intentions we have no clue,
Reading minds God made forbidden,
We can’t see from their point of view.

Instead, the chore is vital,
As we look on from without,
Our object is entitled,
To every benefit of the doubt.

Let’s pray for them, be their servant,
Love them with a Christ-like love,
Show a kindness warm and fervent,
Trust the All-Seeing-Eye above.

Treat them how we’d want to be treated,
Treat them strictly by The Book,
Leave their heart to the One seated,
Who can watch with a perfect look.

The challenge becomes less daunting
When we cut it down to size
And we give what we’re always wanting
A loving look from through Jesus’ eyes.

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