What I’ve Learned Lately About Generosity
By Rosella Shishido, Communications Ministry Coordinator
There’s a Nigerian proverb that goes: “It is the heart that does the giving; the fingers only let go.” So clever, and so true. It’s the heart behind the giving that truly matters.
With our church’s focus on generosity these last three weeks, I’ve become more curious about the kind of generosity the Bible teaches. And the more I read and prayed, the more I realized there’s still much to learn, to put into practice. And so I’d like to share with you today some of these new insights that I hope to grow in my own life. If you know these already, then consider these next three minutes a refresh!
1) A better understanding of “if you sow generously, you’ll reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6)
I’ve often associated this verse with getting back money for the money we give away. But if we are to consider the metaphor the apostle Paul used here of sowing and reaping, he’s referring to a farmer planting seeds. When the farmer plants seeds, he’s not expecting to get seeds back, is he? He’s expecting fruit to result from the seed.
Yes, the blessing from what you give may be money back in return, but the bigger blessing will come in a different form, a much better form. In this case, being generous will result in us having changed lives. We become better people who reflect the character of God, and people who bear the fruit of the Spirit––love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
2) Trust is required. Both ways.
I’ve learned and have heard many times that being generous is a result of trusting God as our provider. We give even when we may not have much because we trust that God will meet our needs and will not abandon us. True indeed.
But God requires us to be trustworthy as well. Everything belongs to Him; we are just the overseers, the stewards. Can I be trusted to care for, nurture, and develop the people, the material things, the environment, the opportunities, and the talents and skills that God has entrusted to me?
3) Investing in the work of the church is a way of affirming that only Jesus can bring the hope our world needs.
I learned this from Pastor Tim’s Nov 15th sermon where he mentioned the sacrificial giving Barnabas made in Acts 4:32-37.
To quote Pastor Tim: “Only Jesus, working in and through His church, was going to bring the ultimate hope, Barnabas’ world needed. That’s the conclusion he came to. That’s why he sold property and brought the proceeds to be used by the church. He wanted to be a part of bringing God’s Kingdom from heaven to earth.”
Going back to the Nigerian proverb, it’s definitely about more than what we give––whether it’s time, money, or material things. It’s about being giving, being willing and ready to give to others for their benefit and, as a result, to bring honor to the Lord.
Prayer: Father, help me to grow my faith and my heart more and more each day toward generosity. I want to be the kind of person who lavishly gives their time, talent, and treasure. I want to be generous like You, where giving to others is a delight and not a duty. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
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