I love history because it is mainly stories about people….

John Winthrop was elected governor of Massachusetts 12 times. He was so truthful, the Indians called him “Single tongue.” But even more, he was a generous man. The first winter in Boston was very cold. It was difficult for some to get enough fuel. One man was caught stealing wood from Governor Winthrop’s yard. The Puritans considered stealing almost as bad as murder, and if the man had been brought to trial, he might have been put to death. When Governor Winthrop was told about the thief, he cried, “I’ll put a stop to that!” Then he turned to the thief and said, “Friend, I fear that you have not wood enough for this winter. Help yourself from my pile whenever you choose.” Later he said to the man who had reported the theft, “Didn’t I tell you I would put a stop to it?” “Find him stealing if you can!”

John Eliot, came to America in 1631, and preached in the Massachusetts colony. He learned the language of the Massachusetts Indians and began to translate the Bible into their language – it took him nearly 30 years. His Bible was one of the first books printed in America. Eliot, like John Winthrop, was also a generous man. Once, when his small church gave him his salary, they tied the money up in a handkerchief with several knots so Mr. Eliot would not give it all away before he got home. Eliot met a poor family and tried to give them some money, but he couldn’t untie the knots. That did not stop John Eliot from helping people in need. He gave the family the handkerchief, with all the money in it.

I don’t have to go to American history to find examples of generosity. The Bible is also history and it too is filled with stories about generous people. The book of Acts tells us about a disciple of Jesus named Tabitha in the little city of Joppa. This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. When she died, many widows gathered around the apostle Peter to show all the tunics and garments that Tabitha (Dorcas) used to make while she was with them. Acts 9:36-39

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians tells us about the generosity of poor Christians in Macedonia. They heard of Christians in Judea suffering from a famine and sent aid. Here is Paul’s commentary, “who in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. The apostle Paul said, that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

I don’t even have to go to past history to find stories of such generosity. I can list numerous examples even here at Tyngsboro of generosity. People taking others in, coming to the rescue of those without vehicles, or with special circumstances, oh, and the gifts for those new parents (and old ones).

Yesterday I took Sam and the girls by Blockbuster to rent a movie for Thursday night. I guess at some point I told him I had liked Pixie Sticks when I was a kid (you know the sweet tart stuff in a straw). He was so excited when he saw similar straws there (25 inch long – they’ve grown!), and he spent his own money to buy two for me. I could tell how great it made him feel to do that – that touched my heart and gave me new incentive to improve my generosity.

It is a shame when we are not more generous. We worry so much about whether we will have enough for ourselves. What a shame. God is so capable for providing for our needs. Paul said, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things” Romans 8:32.

Solomon tells us that generosity pays great dividends. “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25

Mike