Day 40 :: Rare Elements

Completely Generous: Giving Indefinitely
Ryan Showalter, Associate Pastor | Family Ministry

Day 39 :: Rare Elements

Completely Generous: Giving Sacrificially
Don Mann, Associate Pastor | Stewardship

Decisions of the heart are different than decisions of the mind. The mind may ask, can I afford to give? The heart will ask, can I afford to withhold?

The passage from verses 6-11 addresses the essentials of generosity for a special need of the church. The appeal to generosity goes beyond the tithe. He calls believers to make a wise decision based upon the principles of generosity.

Briefly outlined they are:

I will reap in proportion to what I sow

I will always have all I need because of God’s abundance

I have been enriched so that I may be generous

Giving to a godly need is an investment in enduring righteousness

Generosity is motivated by and results in thanksgiving to God

When decisions of the heart motivate giving, the reluctant or under-compulsion motivations fade away. Giving a tithe, or 10% of income to the Lord and responding with generosity becomes a lifestyle. The motivation for generous living over ordinary giving is thanksgiving to God for His abundant generosity to me.

Day 38 :: Rare Elements

Completely Generous: Giving Faithfully
Al Fausch, Director | Business Office

Day 37 :: Rare Elements

Completely Generous: Time & Influence
Carmen Menser, Director | Journey Kids' Worship

The other day I was eating lunch at a fast food restaurant with my four kids. One of the women who helped me that afternoon had the sweetest attitude and her energy encouraged me. So I said as much to her and thanked her for her sweet attitude in the midst of what I knew was a crazy day. Before I left a co-worker of hers came and told me that she had shared the things I had said and was amazed at my kindness and that my words had made her day. I was taken aback, I hadn’t said anything amazing or out of the ordinary, but I had said more than thank you. 

Later I was reflecting on that situation and I was struck by the weight of our words and the power they have to influence. Scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. We can choose to give life to those around us, sometimes with just a simple word of thanks. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us to pay close attention to how we walk, making the most of our time. Our time is valuable but so are our words. What would happen if we used both our time and our words to influence the lives of those around us? What would happen if we gave them both away generously for the glory of God? Today I am challenged to let God use my influence to help move people toward His Mission. What about you?

TWEETABLE QUOTE: “Our time is valuable but so are our words.  What would happen if we used both our time and our words to influence the lives of those around us?”

Day 36 :: Rare Elements

Completely Generous: Giving Myself
Truett Williams, Associate Pastor | Student Ministry

Generous Living: What is it? We are challenged in scripture to live for Christ. Think about it, God designed us, He gives us passions and gifts for different reasons but for one purpose and that is to conform to the image of Christ. Let’s focus on the phrase “give generously.”

What does it mean to live generously? I recently read an article by Jay Link who leads a Stewardship ministry. He suggests three steps that might help you live generously today. First, ask God to help you see needs around you. Have an open mind. Don’t judge people but ask God to help you see people the way God sees people. Second, show compassion, be understanding, pray for the needs of others. Have an open heart. Finally, if you can do something to help, do it! How can you serve others? Maybe financially, maybe by an act of service, maybe by an encouraging word. Have an open hand!

Do you have an open mind, an open heart, and an open hand?

TWEETABLE QUOTE:  If you want to live generously have an open mind, an open heart and an open hand!