Have you ever noticed the outrageous generosity shown by some of the believers in the New Testament?

Consider the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus in order to honor him. Some in the crowd were indignant, pointing out that the perfume, which was worth more than a year’s wages, could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus did not chastise her for choosing to be so generous. He praised her for her willingness to worship him in such an extravagant way (Mark 14:1-9).

Zacchaeus was so impressed with Jesus that he pledged to give half of all his possessions to the poor and to reimburse anyone he had cheated by paying them back four times the amount. This was a radical display of generosity for a wealthy tax collector who had probably become wealthy at the expense of others (Luke 19:1-10).

In Acts 4:32-37 we read that many of the Christians sold homes or land and brought the proceeds to the church leaders so that the money could be used for benevolence. Think about how much good a congregation could do if they had members exhibiting that kind of outrageous generosity.

I can’t honestly say that my generosity has reached outrageous proportions, but it certainly is a goal for which we all should strive.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”—Luke 6:38.