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Winston Churchill once said, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” Churchill was a great leader, and what he said about giving really drives home the point of what I think generosity can be: a lifestyle.

Lifestyles are defined as typical ways of living and there are probably as many different lifestyles as there are people. I’m not advocating a vow of poverty or putting your family at risk. I’m also not for having so much stuff on hand that your home looks like a department store or a hoarder. What I am talking about is thinking of others as you go.  When you are at the store and find products you can get for free but wouldn’t use yourself, could you get them to donate?

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. Isaiah 58:10

A friend of mine, who teaches Faithful Provisions workshops, shared with me an experience she had and how it impacted a young, homeless mother in recovery at her local Rescue Mission. The rescue mission is a place where men and women come in from the cold, get clean, and learn new life skills. My friend was going to teach a coupon class for the women and brought some extra toiletries to donate. One of the items was something she didn’t need and had considered not buying in the first place. Even after she brought it home, she considered throwing it away, but the thought occurred to her that maybe someone could use it, so she put it in the box with the other items. When the workshop was over, all the women picked items from the box. One woman picked up the item my friend almost didn’t buy. This young mother was so thankful to have it. She came up to my friend after the workshop to tell her how great it was to have it. My friend learned a life lesson that night… even the smallest of things can make a big difference in someone else’s life.

What Is Living Generously?

 To me, living generously is:

• using your God-given ability to help those in need.
• where your time, money, and talents come together to meet the needs of others.
• something you can practice all year long, not just at Christmas time.

If you have received salvation from Christ, you have been given the gift of eternal life from God. So, in a very fundamental way, you have already been shown great generosity. The least we can all do is use these gifts to help others in need. Some have more material resources to pull from, some have time, and some just have a big heart. Others have unique talents that can benefit people. No matter what the gift, being generous with your gifts is the key.

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and . . . your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

Living Strong Every Day,

Pastor Mike

Next week: Generous with Your Time