Generosity has more to do with our hearts than our pocketbooks. And generosity doesn't simply apply to money. It applies to time, effort, and consideration.
We can be generous or stingy with our time and effort when caring for family members, listening to friends, or showing appreciation to co-workers. We can be generous or stingy with God's grace by forgiving or holding grudges, by seeking restoration or setting up boundaries.
In Luke 21 a poor widow put two copper coins in the temple treasury, and Jesus said, “I tell you the truth…this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them” (21:1-4).
Her gift was not the largest, but it was the most generous. And she gave it willingly and humbly to the Lord.
When we give generously in any area of our lives, God notices. It’s like making a deposit in our eternal bank account (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20).
Is there an area where you need to give more generously of your time, money, effort, or grace?
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See Is 10% Biblical?
I was blessed to see that The Alabama Baptist website recently reviewed Wisdom for Life: Book Review: Wisdom for Life Devotional.
I so believe this. My favorite lay preacher Bo Sanchez said money does not change a person, it only magnifies who he really is. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good challenge and one that is so true!!
ReplyDeleteyou are right here. Stingy is as stingy is rich or poor.
ReplyDeletehttp://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com
My mom used to say (translating) "The one who gives is the one who wants, not the one who has" In other words you don't have to be rich to give, but out of love, true love founded in Christ motivates you to generously give open-handed.
ReplyDeleteI know that giving to God will never add up on paper. It seems that the more you give the more you have to give more.
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