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.
Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.(2 Corinthians 9:7)
Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work. As it is written,
"He has scattered abroad. He has given to the poor.
His righteousness remains forever."
Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness, you being enriched in everything for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through much giving of thanks to God,(2 Corinthians 9:6-12)
For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to 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.
For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.(Deuteronomy 15:11)
There is one who scatters, and increases yet more.
There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
The liberal soul shall be made fat.
He who waters shall be watered also himself.(Proverbs 11:24,25)
Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in the power of your hand to do it.(Proverbs 3:27)
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor,
he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.(Proverbs 21:13)
Honor Yahweh with your substance,
with the first fruits of all your increase;
so your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will overflow with new wine.(Proverbs 3:9,10)
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of Armies, "if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be enough room for.(Malachi 3:10)
It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends.
He will maintain his cause in judgment.(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.
Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.(Matthew 6:2-4)
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."(Luke 6:38)
Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.(Matthew 5:42)
Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.(Luke 6:30)
"The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to 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.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.(James 1:5)
And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, "Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;" yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.(James 2:15-17)
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"(Luke 11:13)
He gives power to the weak.
He increases the strength of him who has no might.(Isaiah 40:29)
Este artigo te tocou? Faça uma oração!
+581 estão orando agora.
Junte-se à corrente de oração.