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 us 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!