Tightfisted or Openhanded?

God has given people unique personalities, freedom and opportunity by God to have personal opinions and preferences, and this is true concerning Christians and modern translations of the Bible.  There are simple and at the same time complex reasons why we prefer one translation over another, yet it is good to see different translations of the Bible as complimentary to one another rather than conflicting.  Spurgeon brought up a good point on Psalm 40:6 concerning the divine inspiration of biblical texts:  “The Septuagint, from which Paul quoted, has translated this passage, ‘A body hast thou prepared me:’ how this reading arose it is not easy to imagine, but since apostolical authority has sanctioned the variation, we accept it as no mistake, but as an instance of various readings equally inspired.”  These instances of different manuscripts being equally inspired may be uncommon, but is no trouble for God.

I have been reading through the entirety of the Bible in the NIV lately, a departure from translations I use most frequently--reading primarily KJV and teaching from NKJV.  My overall impression is being struck with similarities rather than differences.  When there is a notable difference (which has been exceedingly rare) there is typically a footnote which includes a common rendering and explanation for the variation.  Ever so often I have been pleased with passages that are put forth in a more clear or concise manner than my "preferred" versions.  Other times an unfamiliar rendering puts a fresh perspective on a passage that is beneficial to consider.

I was blessed by the NIV rendering of Deuteronomy 15:7-8 recently:  "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. ⁸ Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs."  Being "tightfisted" provided more vivid imagery for me than "you shall not...shut your hand from your poor brother" and grabbed my attention.  Rather than being hardhearted and thus tightfisted, we ought to be openhanded and generous to lend to a poor brother.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and in the same vein our generosity (or lack thereof!) demonstrates our loving or selfish attitudes towards others.  Being able to connect the words of Scripture with concrete imagery and practical action is critical to us walking in light of God's truth, and whatever Bible version helps accommodate this for you with the aid of the Holy Spirit, wonderful!

God has been generous to give us His word freely and all that pertains to life and godliness.  It is an incredible thing that God makes people to prosper who are generous, yet there will remain poor in the land--as Jesus affirmed, the poor we always have with us.  Through Moses God said in Deuteronomy 15:11, "For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.'"  Whether we are rich in the world's goods or the wisdom of God's word, we ought to be generous to share all God has given to us with those in need.  And based upon what the Bible teaches, there is no shortage of need that will continue perpetually.  We give openhandedly and freely, not in an attempt to make the poor rich so we need never give, but in obedience to our Saviour as we follow His example of sacrificial, joyful generosity.