Make Space For What Matters: Generosity

Here is the devotional:

What’s your most prized possession? It might be the most valuable thing you own, like the house you’ve worked your whole life to afford. But it could also be a photo from a special time you spent with someone you loved. Or it could be a meaningful gift from a friend.

The value we assign to our “things” is tangled up with our emotions. How we choose to use the things we cherish most reveals our true priorities.

Jesus’ death on the cross is one of the greatest examples of God’s generosity. Despite knowing we could never repay Him, God didn’t hesitate to give up his greatest treasure—His only Son—for us. And through that sacrificial act, He demonstrated what generosity looks like: willingly offering up what we have so that someone else can thrive, even if it causes us pain in the process.

You don’t have to just give financially to practice generosity. Living generously simply acknowledges that God is able to do anything He wants through the gifts He has given us. When you let God give through you, and you honor Him with your giving, it draws you closer to Him. Generosity flows out of a thankful and trusting heart, and when you trust God with what you have, He starts to entrust you with more.

Practicing this habit will remind you that you are not in control, but you know the One who is in control—and He can provide for all your needs.

Take Action: One of Jesus’ most famous miracles involved making the most out of the few loaves and fish someone had to offer. What do you have to give? Try finding a place where you can invest what you have in some way. Start small, or go big. Just start.

Here are the scriptures referenced:

Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:14‭-‬20 KJV

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I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35 KJV

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He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Proverbs 19:17 KJV

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Here are Stu’s thoughts:

So many believe that being a generous person means that they are always giving financially to people.

It is true that a lot of people are generous to others with their funds but being generous is so much more than that.

Everyone has the same amount of time in each day. No more or no less. Twenty four hours period. Our time is a valued commodity. Once that moment is up it is gone forever.

Money on the other hand can be earned again. Time can not.

Jesus had basically three years of “ministry”. And in those three years I would venture to say that most of his time was given to others.

What is your reaction when a friend calls? Do you try to end the call as soon as possible to get back to the show you were watching?

I did a Bible Study on listening not too long ago and guess what? Listening takes up our time. But what is more important? A friend who needs a listening ear or whatever you were going to do.

You had better say that friend as you could very well be their last hope!

Giving of our time and our financial resources is hard at times. I know and understand that completely.

But even scripture says it is better to give than receive.

What I am about to share is not to boast. Heaven knows I am not the boastful type but sharing what we hold dear such as our time and any resource is giving to the Lord as well as the person.

I have given away Bibles. I have given aways books on various topics that I bought just to give away…mostly books on marriage. I have given away music out of my personal collection numerous times. I have given clothes including the shirt off my back once. I have given of what little money I had to help someone out. i have filled up people’s cars with gas at the gas station. I have helped pay for someone’s groceries a time or two.

And I have given of my time too many times to count and at the expense of time with the kids.

And every single time I gave of whatever it was I felt good knowing that what I had just given was going to be used by God to help that person.

Being generous to someone is giving more than what is expected of you.

If someone asks for one dollar give them two!

If someone asks for a few minutes of your time give them all they need!

If someone asks to borrow your weed-eater give them the gas can as well.

One of the reasons to be a generous person is that it makes you feel good about yourself knowing you have helped another person.

Another reason is that it is biblical.

And yet another reason is in the fact that we never know what God has orchestrated in our lives and theirs by us being generous at that moment.

It does come back to you in one form or another!

So give and be generous with your giving. Make it a habit to go above and beyond what is asked.