DEVOTION – DAY 511

Ecc.5:15 “Be Generous To Those In Need”

Ecclesiastes 5:15 “Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.”

The above verse is a sober reminder that we should not be obsessed with money and possessions. It is true that when we were born into this world, we came empty handed. When it is time for us to die and leave this world, we cannot take any of our possessions or money with us. Jesus also touched on the same principle in Luke 12:13-21 when He spoke of the parable of the rich fool. A rich man had an abundant harvest. He planned to tear down all his existing barns and build larger barns to store his bumper harvest. He thought he would enjoy his wealth for many years to come. He did not realize that death was waiting around the corner for him. In the end, all his wealth would be left for others to enjoy. Jesus told this parable to teach us that those who store up treasures for themselves on earth and are miserly with God will ultimately end up with nothing. From this parable and the verse in Ecclesiastes 5:15, we learn about the need to share what we have with others rather than hoard everything for ourselves. 

One example of someone who was generous to the Lord is Pr Rick Warren. He was the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in California, USA. Pr Rick wrote a book called Purpose Driven Life in 1995. It became a best-selling book and millions of copies were sold. Pr Rick was so successful that by 2005, he decided to donate 90% of his income to designated charitable causes and he served as Senior Pastor of his church without drawing a salary up till his retirement in August 2022. He continued to live modestly preferring to serve in his various ministries. 

Another example was Mother Theresa, the founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor, an organization that serves the poor and disadvantaged outcasts in India and poor third world countries. In 1979, Mother Theresa was recognized for her work to relief poverty and hardship amongst the poor in India. She was awarded the Nobel peace prize. After she received her prize money, she gave it to her organization to further its work. When she died in the 1990’s she had a simple funeral that underlined her belief in Ecclesiastes 5:15 that naked, she came from her mother’s womb, and as she comes, so will she depart. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the timely reminder that we should put our funds and resources to good use to store up treasures in heaven. Please help us to be generous and compassionate to others who are in need. We pray this in the glorious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Why do many people hold on their funds and resources selfishly and ignore the needs of others around them? Discuss.
  2. How does Ecc.5:15 and Luke 12:13-21 cause you to seriously consider being generous to those who are in need around you?
  3. How will you help someone who is in need? 
  4. Since there are many people with all kinds of needs, how can you discern and prioritize your giving? Discuss.