Being Made Newਨਮੂਨਾ

The Grace to be Generous

A few weeks ago, our son brought home a small plastic container from school. It was meant to collect spare change to donate to a mission that supplied audio recordings of the New Testament.

In utter excitement about the project, he told us that radios could be purchased and that each radio could tell up to 50 people about Jesus!

It’s a great mission, and we told him we would happily give him some money, thinking a few dollars would make him happy.

A few nights later, we thought the box had been forgotten.

Then, our son came downstairs and proudly showed us his box stuffed with dollars.

“Where did all that come from?!”

“It’s all of my money,” he proudly responded.

“Are you sure you want to do that?” I asked. I’m sorry to say that my first impulse was to talk him out of it, as it was not an insignificant amount of money, especially for a 9-year-old.

His response made me ashamed of myself.

“Dad, this means that almost 200 people get to hear about Jesus! Yes, I want to put all of my money in here!”

But what surprised us next was when his big brother asked how much more was needed to get another radio. When they figured out the amount, big brother went upstairs and came down with the needed money.

I’ll be honest: I am sharing a proud dad moment.

It’s not a “good dad” moment—I did initially try to talk him out of it—but it is a proud dad moment.

My sons’ generosity outstripped mine by a long way. They had priorities that were pure and unencumbered.

The Corinthians were struggling with generosity, like I do. In a situation where generosity was needed, they were hesitant. Unwilling to share from their abundance with those who were in need.

Paul points us to the solution to stinginess: remember the example of Jesus.

Remember the riches that He gave up for your sake. Allow the life He lives in you to bring out your new life.

Maybe generosity is not a struggle for you. Maybe it is. It is one sign that we have been made new in Christ. Our ability to see and give to those in need reflects the compassion and generosity that Christ showed us.

Prayer: God, there are many signs that You have created new life in me; generosity is one, but it is a significant one. Help me see those in need with compassion and show them the same generosity You have shown me. Amen.

Reflection: How generous would you say you are? To whom can you show generosity this week?