Generosity: More Than Giving

What does it really mean to live a generous life? What makes someone truly generous? 

I've come to believe something: All acts of generosity involve giving, but not all giving is generous.

We can give out of obligation. We can give what's left over. We can give because it's expected of us. And sometimes we give because we're hoping for something in return. But I believe generosity goes much deeper.

I've heard John C. Maxwell say that he doesn't want to be known as a rich person, but as a generous person. That has stayed with me for years now.

I have learned that generosity isn't always easy. Sometimes it costs us something. Sometimes it hurts. And sometimes we have to wrestle with God before we’re willing to open your hand.

Decades ago, a coworker of mine lost everything in a house fire. She was newly married, around my age, and we began collecting donations to help her. I remember going through my closet, deciding what clothing I could give her. I felt the Lord prompt me "Give her your best." Immediately, I thought of my favorite green apple blazer. I loved that blazer! It wasn't something I no longer wanted. It wasn't outdated, worn out, or something I'd forgotten was hanging in my closet. It was one of my favorite pieces. And I gave it to her.

Because I realized generosity isn't necessarily about the quantity of what we're willing to give. Sometimes it's about the quality of what we're willing to release. I'm reminded of the widow who gave two small coins in Mark 12:41–44. To everyone else, her gift may have seemed insignificant. But Jesus saw something extraordinary. He saw her heart.

I don't know about you, but when I feel God prompting me to give generously, sometimes there's an entire conversation that starts happening in my head.

Can I really afford this?

What if I need it later?

What about the plans I've already made for that money?

Couldn't I just give a little less?

Do they really need it?

Do they even deserve it?

Will they appreciate it?

What if they don't steward it wisely?

I've had these wrestling matches with God more times than I can count. Jeff and I have given financially on several occasions when it required real sacrifice. I remember one particular time when we had been saving money for a new vehicle. We had plans for that money. But we felt God leading us to give it to the church instead. And we did. Was it easy? No. Did it hurt in the moment? Absolutely. But here's where the Lord continues to challenge me.

Have I deserved everything God has so generously given me?

Have I appreciated every blessing perfectly?

Have I stewarded everything He's entrusted to me without making mistakes?

Have I always been faithful with what I've received?

Of course not. And yet God continues to be incredibly generous with me.

Have you ever said something like this? "When I get rich, I'm going to buy someone a car." Or "When I have more money, I'm going to do this...." or "When I become successful, I'm going to give so much away." Fill in the blank. I know I've had those thoughts. And I've become so convicted about them because sometimes I sense the Lord speaking two simple words to my heart: "Do it now!" Give what you have now. Share what you have now. Bless someone with what is already in your hands. Because if I'm not willing to practice generosity with what I have today, why am I so convinced I'll suddenly become generous when I have more? That's a sobering thought.

Luke 16:10 reminds us of the importance of being faithful with little. And I believe generosity is something we develop through practice. It's a habit. It's something we do over and over until it becomes part of who we are. We don't have to wait until we're wealthy to become generous people. We can be generous with our time, our encouragement, our resources, our knowledge, our relationships, and our opportunities. We can share what God has entrusted to us right now. And perhaps the question isn't, "How generous will I be when I have more?" Perhaps it's: "How generous am I being with what I already have?"

I've also been on the receiving end of extraordinary generosity. When our daughter JQ went to college, Kyle Berry generously gave her a car. (Kyle has 4 small children and a lovely wife. The fact that he obeyed God's voice to give his car away still blows my mind!) What a blessing that was! She drove that car for three years, and as it turned out, so did quite a few of her college friends! It was kind of like the movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, except it was the traveling car! That car became a blessing to more people than Kyle probably ever imagined. And when JQ finished college, the car was still running, so she gave it back to Kyle. Something I'm sure he never expected to get back. One generous act can create opportunities for others to experience generosity and extend it even further.

And I'm especially grateful that we're part of such a generous church family at Champion. I could honestly write a book about the generosity I've witnessed over the years, both in giving to the church and in the way people have generously loved, supported, and helped one another. 

Here's another heart check I've been thinking about. Would I still be as generous if nobody ever knew? If there were no recognition? No applause? No public acknowledgment? No one thanking me? Would I still give? I don't believe there's anything inherently wrong with public generosity. In fact, seeing someone else's generosity can inspire us to become more generous ourselves. But I do believe giving privately can reveal something important about our motives.

There's another story I've carried with me for decades, but this one isn't about something I gave. I am embarrassed to even share this story. But this is where I was at the time and I hope you never make the mistake I made. It's about something I didn't give. And it's one of my biggest regrets. My cousin and I were born just three days apart. We grew up incredibly close, and years later, we even became pregnant with our first children in the same year. Her son was born just a few months before my son, Jake. When her son's first birthday came around, we were invited to celebrate. But at that time, we just started living on one income, adjusting to life as new parents, and I was worried about money. I remember thinking about having to purchase a birthday gift. Maybe $20. Maybe $50. And because of that fear, I decided not to go. I still think about that decision all these years later. And I still regret it. Because the truth is, that gift wasn't going to break the bank. I could have sacrificed something else. I could have bought something smaller. I could have simply shown up with a heartfelt card and celebrated with them. But I let fear make the decision for me. And I missed an important moment in the life of someone I loved dearly. Regret is a painful teacher. And sometimes the lessons that stay with us the longest are the ones we can't go back and change.

One of my favorite Scriptures about generosity is 2 Corinthians 9:11:

"You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." I love those words. Generous on every occasion.

I haven't figured generosity all out. I still have moments when fear, selfishness, uncertainty, and my own plans get in the way. But I'm learning. I'm getting quicker at recognizing God's voice. Quicker at identifying my excuses. Quicker at examining my motives. Quicker at surrendering what I'm holding on to. And quicker to obey. I've never regretted obeying God when He's prompted me to give generously.

My hope is that we continue becoming people who are quick to recognize God's voice, quick to obey, and willing to give generously, even when it costs us something. That generosity wouldn't just be something we practice occasionally, but something we're known for. That we'd be generous with what God has already placed in our hands today. And that at the end of our lives, we wouldn't be remembered for what we accumulated, but for how generously we loved, served, and shared what God entrusted to us.

Most importantly, that our generosity would always result in thanksgiving to God!