在2024年於某大學的畢業典禮上，億萬富翁黑爾（Robert Hale Jr.）對1,200名畢業生演講時說：「在艱困的時刻，我們更加需要分享、關懷和給予。我和我的妻子想要送給你們兩份禮物：第一份禮物是我們送給你們的；第二份禮物是讓你們去送給別人。」他話一說完，在場的畢業生每個人都意外地拿到兩個信封，一個信封內的五百美元可以自己保留，另一個信封裡的五百美元則要送給有需要的人。

雖然黑爾的財富讓他能多次這樣給予他人，但慷慨並非有錢人的專利。古代馬其頓的基督徒在貧困中仍然慷慨解囊，以供應在耶路撒冷信徒的需求。保羅談到馬其頓的基督徒時說：「他們在患難中受大考驗的時候，仍然滿有喜樂，在極度貧窮中還格外顯出他們樂捐的慷慨」（哥林多後書8章2節，和合本修訂版）。保羅稱讚他們，因為「他們是按著能力，而且超過了能力來捐助，主動再三懇求我們，准他們在這供給聖徒的善事上有份」（3-4節，同上）。

那些明白自己是藉著耶穌而得到上帝豐厚恩典的人，能慷慨地回應他人的需要。讓我們靠著上帝的幫助，以耶穌為榜樣，慷慨地為人付出，因祂說：「施比受更為有福。」（使徒行傳20章35節）

In his 2024 address to 1,200 university graduates, billionaire businessman Robert Hale Jr. said, “These trying times have heightened the need for sharing, caring and giving. [My wife and I] want to give you two gifts: The first is our gift to you, the second is the gift of giving.” His words were followed by the distribution of two envelopes each to the unexpectant graduates—five hundred dollars to keep and five hundred to give away to a person in need.

Though Robert Hale’s wealth has allowed him to share like this on more than one occasion, generosity isn’t reserved for those with great means. Believers in Jesus in ancient Macedonia gave out of their poverty so the needs of believers in Jerusalem could be met. Paul said of the Macedonians, “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2). He commends them because “they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” (vv. 3-4).

Those who recognize that they’ve been given much grace from God through Jesus can respond with generous hands to the needs of others. With God’s help, let’s give after the example of the one who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).