Deuteronomy 11-15: Give Generously

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. -Deut. 15:10-11 NIV

Where would society be today if we all obeyed this command to give generously?  Would politicians view their responsibility to the citizenry differently if they were concerned about giving generously rather than increasing their war chest?  Would televangelists live such a high and exalted life if they obeyed this command?  Would we have all of the societal problems:  drugs, broken families, abandoned children gangs, terrorists, and overcrowded prisons if everyone gave generously?

"How would that make a difference?" you ask.  Giving generously reduces our self absorption.  It causes us to see ourselves as part of the whole, not the center, of the universe.  Giving opens us up.  It breaks down the fences we erect for protection.    It frees us to experience the blessings of God.  It has the power to change us and in turn change the whole tenor of society.