Thriving in God’s FamilySample

Generosity

The possibilities for generosity are numerous when we’re part of a group, such as a church—and there’s no shortage of ways to give. Sometimes the needs stack up and it takes everyone pitching in to meet them. Other times, celebrations come one right after the next, each a new opportunity to bless others.

Then there are the ongoing needs of the group itself, the attention and intention it takes to live and work and serve with other people. Someone mows the grass every week, another sends out the newsletter, someone else makes the coffee, and another remembers the birthdays. The benefits of a connected life are many, but so are the demands.

As we’ve said before, members of a group may not have equal needs or equal resources. But that doesn’t mean generosity is limited to a few. In his sermon “The Godly Quality of Generosity,” Dr. Stanley reminds us that generosity is not only for those who seem to have a lot to give. Rather, “generosity is a quality that should be found in every single one of us. A person who has very little can be just as generous as someone who has much. It isn't how much we have; generosity is about the spirit within us.”

Sometimes the best thing we can share with others is ourselves. In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul talks about his ministry to that community. He and his fellow travelers arrived among them after a harrowing experience in Philippi, which had served to embolden Paul’s witness of the gospel.

The church likely provided for their many needs, but the men themselves also had a lot to give—namely, the power of the gospel to change lives. And Paul said they shared even more than that: “As a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children, in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us” (vv. 7-8 NASB).

Shortly after Jesus had gathered His core group of disciples together, He sent them out to do the work of ministry: preach, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, and cast out demons (Matt. 10). He gave very specific instructions regarding giving, like, “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts” (v. 9 NASB) and “As you enter the house, give it your greeting” (v. 12 NASB).

But a most convicting part is this: “Freely you received, freely give” (v. 8 NASB). It’s the same reason we can give of our time and resources and even ourselves: Everything we have is from God. We give because He gave first.

Reflect:

What do you give to the groups you are part of? (Think as broadly as you can: money, time, resources, creativity, energy, etc.) What do you receive?

Take inventory: What do you have to give to others? If you have money or resources to spare, include those on the list. But again, think more broadly. What can you offer to those around you that might not cost any money at all?

What are the risks in generously sharing yourself with others?

Pause to Pray:

Lord, thank You for being the giver of all good gifts. All that I have is from You. Help me to be generous to others, giving not only what I have but who I am, for their sake and Yours. Amen