Open HandedНамуна

If we’re honest, we’d all probably admit that generosity can sometimes be less about other people and more about us. Of course, that doesn’t lessen the impact of what we might give or do to serve someone else. But it does mean we have to get real about what might be motivating our generosity. If our motives are self-serving—if it’s about our fame, our glory, our acknowledgement, our pride—then we might need to look back on Paul’s words to the Philippians. When we give, it should be done out of a place of humility. We aren’t serving to get recognition or praise. We aren’t generous only because it makes us feel good. We aren’t open handed with our resources and skills because of what it does for us. No, we should be acting in generosity because we’re putting others’ interests above our own. It doesn’t mean our giving won’t make us feel good; in fact, God wants us to be joyful in our generosity. But it does mean we have to check our motivations to make sure we’re giving from a place of God’s glory rather than our own.

Get real with yourself in prayer this week and talk to God about what might be motivating your generosity or service to others. Pray that He would help you recognize what’s behind your desire to help and that your heart would be changed in any area it might need it.