Rich in Liberality
This month, we will look at the subject of Rich in Liberality, being the 5th stage in the 7-Step Boaz Process.
We start by looking at the meaning of the word ‘liberality’. Within the context of this write-up, liberality is the quality of giving or spending freely.
You see, you cannot be truly wealthy if you are not liberal (generous). While the world around us prefers that we keep what we have, invest and grow our wealth portfolio; God on the other hand instructs us to give generously to Him and those who are in need to grow our wealth portfolio. The passage of scripture in Psalm 112:1-5 confirms this.
Psalm 112:1-5
Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will last forever. Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
Giving Yourself to God
Liberality is a grace (ability) to be generous and large hearted, whether you are rich or poor. It starts with the giving of yourself to God. And later the giving of your things (possessions) to people and projects God wants you to give to.
God does not acknowledge gifts from those who have not first given themselves to Him. This is because what God receives from our gifts is honour. And honour is not perceived by God if the giver’s heart is not loyal to Him. Proverbs 3:9-10 says: “Honour the Lord with your wealth, and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine”. Please read Malachi 1:6-9 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.
The Liberality of Ruth
Ruth, our example, followed this two stage process of liberality. She first gave herself to God, and then of her gifts to Naomi her mother in-law. In Ruth 1:16-17 it says: But Ruth replied, “don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”
Ruth also demonstrated liberality to those around her when she served her mother in-law with her strength to ensure both had food to eat. She did this by volunteering to be the bread winner of the house. Also, she always kept back lunch from the farm for Naomi (Ruth 2:18).
Grace to be Rich in Liberality
God will not move you to the next stage in the 7-Step Boaz Process unless you are rich in liberality. This is because the blessings and material provisions of the next stage are for you and others. God will only give creative wisdom for enterprise when He is certain those around you will get their fair share from you.
However, we should note that it takes the grace of God to be a generous person. It is not something we can self-generate. We advise that you ask God for grace to be liberal and generous towards Him and others around you.
Widows and their children can be reasonably expected to be the least liberal, given their financial circumstances. However, it is in them that liberality is most required. The grace of God to be a generous person should be desired by every widow and their children. It is those who are generous despite their difficult financial circumstances that are said to be rich in liberality. Please read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.
