Generous Living for Each One of Us

When we think of how others can be generous with the blessings of the Lord we should instinctively turn inward and ask ourselves, "Am I practicing the disciplines that I would ask of others?" If not, then we may be guilty of manipulation or not living in the fullness of what we have been blessed with.

Ruben Swint (Ruben@generis.com) listed the following New Year’s “generosity resolutions” in his monthly The Generosity Newsletter. I believe that are worth sharing.

• I will daily receive God's generous grace and blessings.

• I will ask God to show me how I can be generous in this day.

• I will be generous with time for my family and friends.

• I will strive to hold a generous opinion of all persons.

• I will care for my body with regular exercise and healthy food.

• I will give generously in proportion to my wealth.I will teach my children to work, earn, give, save & then spend.

• I will remember that we live in God's economy & abundance.

This "attitude of gratitude" helps with our orientation and puts us in the right place even when we are not currently receiving big gifts for our ministry.

Again, our Lord is not impressed or manipulated by our feeble attempts, He will do His will, but He also allows up to participate in the sharing of the grace with which we have been blessed.

Give Thanks - Get Blessed

2 Corinthians 9:7-15



Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.



And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."



Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.



This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.



Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.



And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!



One of the best aspects of being a stewardship or development officer is getting to call thank donors for their gifts.



In these conversations I have the opportunity to hear the story behind the gift.



Here is an example. I called and spoke to a school parent who made a gift to our school. They were quick to say that giving is their pleasure and privilege; that they wish it could be more, but they will continue to give as God enables them to do so. They said they would continue to give after their son graduates because they are thankful to God for establishing the school and they want to help the next generation get this kind of training.



This is where the "bi-lateral" aspect of giving comes in; when the donor received blessing from God as they respond with grateful hearts to His provision of faith and other blessings (Christian education in this case).



If we are too busy to acknowledge gifts with personal contacts like phone calls, then we are too busy.



Take some time out of today to make a call or two - you will be glad you did!

This is the Day!

There is a light snow falling this morning as we wait for the year to run out the clock and we are ushered into a new year and decade.

What thoughts come to your mind as you consider the year past and where we go from here?

Here are some musings from someone who has had a nice two-week break from most of my usual activities:

1. Seek the Lord - Deut. 4:29 "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and will all your soul."

We can be gazing heavenward even as we work and toil on this earth. Our charge is to seek Him first and all these things will be added...

2. Trust in the Lord - This is the time to remember that all good things come from the hands of an always good God who has our best interests in mind.

3. Try to see our ministry as only one small part of the Kingdom work - While what we and our ministries do is vitality important for the community and beyond, God is not constrained by our shortcomings; nor is He more potent if we are experiencing growth and greater impact.

4. Reflect Jesus - every meeting or interaction is an opportunity to represent the One who sends us. Remember His kindness and compassion and His desire to see the fullness of what He has to offer.

5. Go deeper - In a world characterized by thin and temporal relationships, make every effort to have meaningful interactions so that others will be valued. We, too, have a greater sense of satisfaction when we can think of one or two really great conversations.

6. Seek the "bi-lateral" blessing of matching a donor's desires with the ministry needs. It may mean a non-cash opportunity, but God Himself will release the funds at the right time and in the right amount.

7. Expect the unexpected - these are not "normal" times in the non-profit world. Look for new approaches and partnerships that can yield even greater impact - it may mean that we don't control everything.

8. Make connections with peers - if we have ever needed the support and encouragement from each other it is now. Set aside time each week or month to connect with a peer who can encourage you and who you can do the same for.

9. Laugh at yourself - We can take our work seriously, but let us not take ourselves to seriously. Our Lord who reigns in heaven must look down on our (often) clumsy efforts and smile at our attempts to be successful.

10. Can't think of one more - drop me a line and finish the list, please....

God Bless!