Living Generously
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5
God’s heart is like a mighty waterfall, constantly pouring out love and riches to all mankind. I love this verse we are considering today. If you are lacking in wisdom, ask God, for He is a Father WHO GIVES GENEROUSLY TO ALL.
There was a time when I didn’t know God in this way. I grew up with somewhat of an orphan mentality that left me thinking it was all up to me. If anything good was going to happen in my life, I had to go make it happen. If any provision was going to come my way, I had to go get it myself. I wore myself out trying to be my own supplier.
God kept pursuing me as my generous Father. Over time, His faithful love and generosity broke down my walls and started to show me a better way. He is my Provider, He is my source of wisdom, He is the overflowing Giver of Life. We have such a generous and glorious Father God!
Let’s take a moment today and consider our own hearts before God. He loves to give generously to all. He pours out His love, mercy, wisdom and encouragement. Let’s consider today how generously we are living. How freely are we giving ourselves away? Are we sharing our gifts and our love with others?
This week I had a unique opportunity. I was asked by a major missions organization in Haiti to consider coaching two of their top leaders. I flew to Indianapolis for a meeting to examine if we should enter into several months of focused coaching on their leadership of the ministry. Honestly, it would have been easier to give them a simple “No” answer and tell them I’m too busy. But God kept challenging me with this thought, “Freely you have received, freely give.”
On the flight home, I could see the faces of little Haitian children who were perhaps getting to go to school for the first time, because I helped coach their leader. I saw young moms getting help at a medical clinic because their leaders were able to expand their vision and strategy to reach more people. I saw new churches being planted in small Haitian villages where the gospel would be preached and new souls would come into the kingdom. It was humbling to think about.
Only God could make any of this happen. He alone has the power to bless and prosper our work and ministries. But we each have a choice in this life: Will we freely give away what we’ve been given to help others, or will we keep things to ourselves? Will I live for myself or live generously?
I pray God helps me to live with an open heart and an open hand. I am asking Him to make our church a generous church. We have been given so much, and there are unique needs in our city and our world that we could meet with joy and love. Yes, we need wisdom and good boundaries in our giving. We can’t meet every need. But I sense we could all give more than we are giving, with wisdom and healthy limits.
Consider today, my friends, what God has placed in your hands. Pray to the Father and ask Him how you could live more generously. Open your eyes to simple needs around you that you could meet out of the abundance of what God has poured into your life. I believe there is a joy and an abundant life just around the corner if we will start living more generously.
It truly is more blessed to give than to receive. Lord, open our hearts. Let us live as You live, giving of ourselves generously to others.