Why is it easier to give away zucchini than money?

I preached on Generosity: Zucchini, Manna and Money this past Sunday. It was a rural church and it’s harvest season. Someone said afterwards that it’s much easier to give away zucchini than to give away money. I agree, but why is that?

Zucchini rots

Zucchini doesn’t keep well. Yes, you can make zucchini bread, zucchini relish and BBQ zucchini every day. But you can’t keep a pile of zucchini under your mattress because it will rot.

Sharing an abundance of zucchini makes sense. God will provide more zucchini next season, and if the crop fails, your neighbour will share zucchini with you.

Money under the mattress

Money you can keep under your mattress. Humans have invented lots of ways to keep money: banks, investments, real estate etc. Money doesn’t go bad, and that’s where it’s easy to get confused. It’s tempting to think we’re self-sufficient, relying neither on God nor neighbours.

Ultimately having a big pile of money under the mattress is exactly the same as having a big pile of zucchini under the bed. You can’t take it with you.

Money and zucchini: good for sharing

When you’ve made all the zucchini bread you need, it’s time to share. If you’re new to financial generosity, start with a charity you like (you don’t need to love it, that comes later), choose an amount you can afford, give regularly and see what happens.

Zero regrets

Donors tell me that whatever they have given away, they have never, ever missed it. I doubt gardeners regret sharing zucchini either. Thanks be to our generous God, who gives us enough to share.