Generosidade: o que a Bíblia ensina sobre partilha
O que a Bíblia ensina sobre generosidade
Na Bíblia, generosidade não é medida pela quantia que sobra, mas pela disposição sincera do coração. O texto sagrado ensina que repartir recursos, tempo e atenção reflete o próprio caráter de Deus, que sustenta os seus filhos e convida cada pessoa a cuidar do próximo.
O apóstolo Paulo orienta que a contribuição cristã nunca deve nascer do constrangimento ou do medo, mas da decisão serena e alegre de servir.
Everybody should give as they’ve already decided—not reluctantly, or because they have to, for God loves those who give with a cheerful spirit.(2 Corinthians 9:7)
I want to remind you of this: If you only sow a little, you’ll only reap a little; if you sow plenty, you’ll reap plenty. Everybody should give as they’ve already decided—not reluctantly, or because they have to, for God loves those who give with a cheerful spirit. God is able to graciously provide you with everything, so that you will always have all you need—with plenty to help others too. As Scripture says, "He gives generously to the poor; his generosity is everlasting." God, who provides seed to the sower and gives bread for food, will provide and multiply your "seed" and increase your harvest of generosity. You will be made rich in every way so that you can always be very generous, and your generosity will lead others to be grateful to God. When you serve in this way, not only are the needs of God’s people met, but also many will give grateful thanks to God.(2 Corinthians 9:6-12)
If the willingness is there, it’s fine to give what you have, not what you don’t have!(2 Corinthians 8:12)
O dever de acudir o necessitado
No Antigo Testamento, a ajuda a quem passa privações não é tratada como favor opcional, mas como expressão básica de justiça e obediência. Fechar os ouvidos ao clamor do pobre rompe a comunhão com Deus e adoece a comunidade.
You will always have those who are poor and in need among you, so that’s why I’m telling you to give generously to them.(Deuteronomy 15:11)
If you give generously you receive more, but if you keep back what you should give, you end up poor.
If you’re generous, you’ll become rich; give someone a drink of water, and you’ll be given one in return.(Proverbs 11:24,25)
Don’t hold back good from those who deserve it when it’s something you have the power to do.(Proverbs 3:27)
If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won’t be heard either.(Proverbs 21:13)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow. Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.(Proverbs 3:9,10)
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse so that there will be food in my Temple. Put me to the test in this, says the Lord Almighty, and I will open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you won’t have enough room for it.(Malachi 3:10)
Good things come to those who are generous in their lending and are honest in doing business.(Psalms 112:5)
O ensino de Jesus sobre a partilha
Jesus aprofunda o sentido da generosidade ao retirar dela qualquer desejo de autopromoção. Dar sem alarde, acolher quem não pode retribuir e enxergar a Cristo na pessoa vulnerável são marcas centrais do discipulado.
When you give to the poor, don’t be like the hypocrites who blow their own trumpets to announce what they’re doing in the synagogues and in the streets so that people will praise them. I tell you the truth: they already have their reward. When you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand’s doing. That way what you give will be in secret, and your Father who sees what happens in secret will reward you.(Matthew 6:2-4)
give, and you will be given generously in return. When what you’re given is measured out, it’s pressed down so more can be added, spilling out over the top, pouring into your lap! For how much you give will determine how much you receive."(Luke 6:38)
Give to those who ask you, and don’t turn away those who want to borrow from you.(Matthew 5:42)
Give to anyone who asks you. If someone takes something from you, don’t ask for it back.(Luke 6:30)
The king will tell them, ‘I tell you the truth: whatever you did for one of these least important brothers of mine you did for me.’(Matthew 25:40)
A generosidade de Deus como fonte da fé
A Bíblia mostra que a capacidade humana de partilhar nasce da certeza de que Deus é a fonte de todo suprimento. Quem experimenta a bondade de Deus é chamado a agir de forma coerente: transformar oração em socorro concreto na vida de quem não tem o que comer ou vestir.
If any of you need wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to everyone without holding back.(James 1:5)
If a brother or sister doesn’t have clothes, or food for the day, and you say to them, "Blessings on you! Stay warm and have a good meal!" and you don’t provide what they need to survive, what’s the good of that? By itself even your trust-based faith in God is dead and worthless if you don’t actually do what’s good and right.(James 2:15-17)
So if you, even though you are evil, still know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"(Luke 11:13)
He gives strength to the weary and power to the powerless.(Isaiah 40:29)
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