Living with Open Hands

The world often tells us to hold on tightly—accumulate, protect, secure, and keep what we have. Yet the way of God’s kingdom completely flips this idea. Instead of closed fists, the call is to live with open hands and expansive hearts. Generosity is not simply about possessions but about living with a vision for legacy, sowing into something that will last far beyond today.

The Call to Generosity

In God’s kingdom, generosity isn’t limited to finances. It extends to time, talents, and treasure. Each of these areas offers opportunities to serve God and others. Time can be used intentionally, sacrificing moments in a day to encourage someone, pray for others, or simply be present. Talents—our skills and abilities—become tools for blessing others when surrendered to God. Treasure, our financial resources, provides practical support that advances God’s work locally, nationally, and globally.

Generosity with time is seen when people pray together, fast, or encourage those who cannot physically join in. Generosity with talents shines through the worship team leading in song, those teaching children, or the craftsmen preparing spaces for others to gather. And generosity with treasure is visible when the church family supports those in need, like helping someone fleeing domestic violence, offering not only material help but also community and care.

Scarcity vs. Abundance

The world operates on a scarcity mindset: there’s never enough, so hold on tightly. Howard Hughes, once the richest man in the world, famously said that “enough” was always “just a little bit more.” That is the spirit of scarcity.

But the kingdom mindset says, My God is more than enough. Instead of fear and hoarding, generosity grows out of trust in God’s provision. Scripture teaches that giving is not what’s left over after securing everything else. It is an act of faith, rooted in trust that God supplies all needs.

God’s Promises in Generosity

Paul writes to the Corinthians: “Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Generosity is not about loss—it is sowing seed. The promise is that sowing generously results in increase, not only financially but also in joy, spiritual maturity, and kingdom impact.

Paul continues, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The focus is on heart posture. Giving is never meant to be pressured or forced—it is a joyful act of worship.

Generosity reflects how we see God. If He is seen as a faithful provider, open-handed giving follows. If He is seen through scarcity, generosity becomes fearful and reluctant.

The Widow’s Offering

One of the clearest biblical examples is the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41–44). While many rich people gave large amounts, Jesus drew attention to a widow who gave only two small coins. To others, it seemed insignificant, but Jesus said she had given more than all the rest, because she gave out of her poverty—trusting God fully.

Her generosity wasn’t about the size of the gift but the depth of her faith. She surrendered everything, demonstrating an expansive mindset: God, I trust You with all that I have.

Generosity is not measured in numbers but in heart posture. The call is to open hands, expansive hearts, and faith that trusts God as provider. Whether through time, talents, or treasure, living generously reflects God’s own nature. His generosity is the model, and His promises assure us that as we sow into His kingdom, the harvest will always be greater than the seed we release.