Recently, during the opening prayer time, a member of my Sunday school class conveyed the sad news. “Pray for us,” he said, referring to himself and his bride sitting beside. “We just learned that a family member of ours has passed away.”

Among offered condolences and assurance of prayer, the man was asked whether they would be attending the funeral. “I don’t know just yet,” he replied. “The funeral is in another state, and we’ll have to see if we can make it work.”

Later that day another couple in the class asked about the situation. “We were just wondering,” they inquired of me in private, and in somewhat hushed tones, “whether the man who spoke this morning had a financial need in order to attend that funeral.”

I didn’t know, but promised them I would find out. I made a call to the man whose family member had died. Some financial assistance would certainly help, he told me. He was thrilled and grateful to hear that an anonymous couple wanted to help them out.

Such, I realized afresh, is the gospel.

Christians have always been encouraged to help those in need. Paul encourages the Corinthian church to give to the churches in Judea, not out of guilty compulsion but rather out of joy and gratitude.

Examples of such giving—even out of poverty—are provided in Paul’s own life, as well as in the churches of Macedonia. Ultimately, however, these do not suffice. That’s because the ultimate example of giving resides in Jesus (2 Cor 8:9). He is the motivation for everything, even the collection of money.

God always gives. He delights in being the good provider. Even when we don’t deserve it. Especially when we don’t deserve it. He replaces shame-driven fig leaves with grace-motivated garments of skins outside of Eden. He replaces guilt-infested filthy rags with blood-purchased spotless robes inside of Christ.

Jesus gave up his riches and became poor, that in his sacrifice we might inherit the entire world, with him.

Financially, these are certainly not the best of times. The temptation comes to “save up” in times of hardship, with intentions of “giving more” when one is able. What’s needed in such a situation is what’s always needed in instances of delayed obedience—that is, swift repentance.

A poor economy provides believers with the opportunity to proclaim something the church has always believed—that is, that we don’t worship the god of Mammon. We worship the God of Jesus Christ.

And in such times, Christians are able to show their love for all men, and especially to those in their own household (Gal 6:10). It’s one thing to show love for the poverty-stricken across the ocean. (And we should.) It’s another to show love for the poverty-stricken across the church foyer.

In giving sacrificially, and joyfully, we proclaim that Jesus is Lord. Economies swell and recede. The kingdom, though, will never fail. And those who have entered the kingdom will never fail to give.