To give without expectation of a return is exactly what God the Father did for us in sending Jesus to die for our sins. Throughout my reading in 1 Samuel and 1 Corinthians, I kept seeing this underlying truth behind what it means for us to be generous: that nothing is truly mine.
“What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” -1 Corinthians 4:7
I used to view generosity in the context of financial giving- thinking you give (or charitably donate) when you have excess. However, in reading these two books of the Bible, I wrote this question in my journal, “What is generosity when everything I have is already the Lord’s?” I’ve wrestled with this question in a few ways.
A monthly “per diem” is deposited into my bank account from the money I fundraised. Since food is significantly cheaper in Thailand than it is back home, I figured any money I didn’t spend would simply be mine to use however I pleased. Without realizing, I had adopted a self-fulfilling mindset, neglecting to consider who provided my money in the first place. God literally provided the finances for my trip- he brought person after person into my life to support me. All I have is a gift from God, but in a very real sense, not a dollar of the money in my account from this trip is mine.
“But David said, ‘You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us.’” -1 Samuel 30:23
I love learning from David. He constantly gave glory back to God, giving credit where it was due. Even though him and his men were out fighting, he understood that God brought the victory. God’s power brings victory, not my own feeble attempts.
As I said, it’s not simply about money. I’m learning generosity extends to our time, talents, possessions, attention, service, and words. The Spirit has begun to change my heart and help me see all things as an opportunity to present a holy offering to the Lord.
God began teaching me about generosity a little before the Thai National Games. We went to the Duke’s for dinner one night after being invited by the Hosea Center to cook a meal for their students. They gave us a small budget of 500 baht (about 15 USD) to feed 20+ kids. We had just decided as a team that we would use our own money to splurge on a filling meal for the center. Not even hours later, a man we were talking to at the Duke’s (who is a pastor in America), gave our team 3,000 baht (90 USD) to pay for for dinner. We decided as a team to use that money for the kids.
What blew my mind about this interaction weeks later is that God will literally bring provision for those who are generous. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 touches on this point, reminding us that we reap what we sow. I love verse 11 especially, “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” Our generosity is an act of worship to the Father. It’s an act of faithfulness, trust, and thankfulness.
Generostiy also applies to the way we spend our time and efforts. At the Thai National Games, the guys we traveled with- P Min, Tub and Zach- were sacrificially generous in caring for us and the AIA family we went with. Whether it was caring for the 2 little boys, driving us to different events, buying us (so much) food, or waiting for one of us to translate our conversation to Thai- they showed humble generosity. Never expecting anything in return. Never seeking attention. Just pure generosity out of love.
The final way God’s been working on my heart in regards to generosity is my talents. Talents meaning my gifting, my tendencies, the things I notice, and the way I love others- all the things that make me unique. He’s teaching me not to hide, hold back, or be ashamed of the things he’s gifted me with. His gift to me is meant to be shared as a gift for others. That’s what generosity is all about. Giving what wasn’t ours to begin with.
My mind and heart have been changed from viewing giving as a financial obligation, a begrudging act, or burden. I now see that generosity brings freedom, life, joy, and most importantly, an invitation to worship.
My hope and prayer is that the Lord continues to soften my heart, as well as yours, to see what we’ve been given through his eyes.
Thank you for your generosity in supporting me, and equipping me to be generous towards those here.
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