Extravagance

Exaggerated, excessive or immoderate behaviour often linked with wastefulness which may result in personal harm. God's people are called to be wise stewards of what has been entrusted to them. However, Scripture also points to a right kind of open-handedness and generosity of spirit which reflects love and worship towards God and concern for others.

Examples of sinful extravagance

Wastefulness

Luke 15:13 See also Proverbs 21:20, Proverbs 29:3

After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.

Drunkenness and gluttony

Proverbs 23:20 See also Deuteronomy 21:20; Ephesians 5:18; Philippians 3:19

Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat.

The results of sinful extravagance

Wastefulness leads to poverty

Luke 15:14–17 See also Proverbs 13:18, Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 23:21

After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!

Extravagant living leads to spiritual complacency

Luke 12:19–20 See also Isaiah 5:11–12, Isaiah 22:12–13, Isaiah 56:11–12; Amos 6:1–6; Zephaniah 1:12–13

Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

The alternative to sinful extravagance

Thankful enjoyment of God's gifts

1 Timothy 4:3–4 See also Acts 10:13–15; 1 Corinthians 10:30–31

They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,

Stewardship of God's blessings

Ezekiel 34:18–19 See also Genesis 2:15; Exodus 23:10–12; Deuteronomy 15:14–15; Proverbs 22:9

Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’

Discipline and self-control

1 Corinthians 9:25–27 See also Genesis 2:16–17; Matthew 6:16–18 fasting; Romans 14:6 abstinence from certain foods; 1 Corinthians 7:5 temporary abstinence from sexual relationships

Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Examples of commendable extravagance in worship

Mark 14:3–5 parallels Matthew 26:6–9, John 12:3–5 See also Exodus 36:3–7 gifts for the tabernacle; 2 Samuel 6:14–15 David dancing before the ark1 Chronicles 29:3–4; 2 Chronicles 24:10PSA 2 Chronicles 119:171; 2 Corinthians 4:15; Colossians 2:7MRK Colossians 12:41–44 parallel Luke 21:1–4

While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head. Some of those present, however, expressed their indignation to one another: “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for over three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

Examples of extravagance not commended in worship

Micah 6:7–8 Extravagant offerings are no substitute for doing what God requires. See also 1 Samuel 15:20–22

Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Other examples of commendable extravagance

Extravagance in caring for others

2 Corinthians 8:2–4 See also Matthew 5:39–42 parallel Luke 6:29–30; 2 Corinthians 9:12–13; 1 Thessalonians 3:12

In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity. For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

Extravagance in forgiveness

Matthew 18:21–22 See also Luke 17:3–4; Matthew 18:26 the king's generosity in forgiving his servant's debt; Luke 15:22–23 celebrations at the return of the prodigal son

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Warnings against failing to be extravagant towards God and others

Stinginess cheats God: Isaiah 43:24; Malachi 3:8–9; Acts 5:1–2; Deuteronomy 15:7–8; Proverbs 23:6–8; Proverbs 11:24, Proverbs 28:22, Proverbs 28:27; Matthew 18:32–34

The extravagance of God's grace

The gift of his Son

John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15

The blessings of God's salvation

Romans 8:32 See also Romans 5:5, Romans 5:15; Ephesians 1:8; Titus 3:5–6; 1 John 3:1

He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?

The abundance of God's provision

Psalm 23:5, Psalm 65:11; Isaiah 66:11; Joel 2:24; Zechariah 1:17

God's blessings promised to the generous

Malachi 3:10 See also Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 22:9; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6–11

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.