Generosity was defined to me today as joyful sharing of your abundance.
What keeps you from being generous? For me, often times, it’s fear. Fear that if I give away money, time, love, that I will end up sacrificing something. Fear that there won’t be enough. I argue that I am being responsible to those I love when I protect resources, but is that really my motive?
I think we can all agree right now that no matter what your religious or political views might be that generosity is overall considered a worthy and good thing. So, let’s put aside our differences to examine the core of generosity. I will, however, refer to things in my life including my experiences at my job (my church), and events (often times held at my church), and those I respect (friends and leaders many from my church).
The series we are staring today at South Park Church is called Life.Money.Hope This morning, our Pastor, Eric Flood, made sure to state that the message would apply to each person differently depending on their circumstances. For some it would be to learn to live in contentment of what they have. Others-- to generously give gratitude for what they have. And for others it may be to practice that gratitude and extend generosity to others. For some that would include time, talents, or treasures.
Interestingly enough, that is one of the journeys I have been on, particularly for the past 10 years. I have never experienced “want” for basic needs. I have, however, often times coveted new, nice, and more. Thanks to the “freedom” of credit cards in college I practiced that fully by indulging in material possessions, food and drink, and argued to myself that I deserved these things. Not until my daughter was 1 did I begin to sacrifice and pay the price for those things. (And might I add, thanks to the added years and pounds I have put on I have nothing to show for them) I have begun to learn to live in contentment with the material possessions I have.
I still struggle with contentment … I can live without the newest handbag or gadget. However, I still fill myself with little things to find contentment…most often times food or something that “wastes” my time. An iced coffee and a long drive for example.
Now, I am not saying that the newest handbag, an iced coffee, or some alone time is bad. It’s the reason behind them that can be...that can keep you from being generous.
Statistics don’t help me much in this aspect of my life. Yeah, yeah, if only I wouldn’t buy a Starbucks I’d save 2.5 million dollars a year or whatever. That speaks to my mind, but not to my heart. Eric stated today that generosity is not about guilt or agenda…that it is about giving cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). Interestingly enough, it is said that people who give generously experience more joy than those that don’t. If I bought my friend a Starbucks would I experience more joy than partaking in it myself? Is that a challenge I am even willing to take on?
I have been described as an encouraging and generous person. I will go out of my way to help people. I often times say yes over no. My heart is touched by those in need. But, am I practicing pure generosity as defined by joyful sharing of my abundance? What have I been given abundantly? What about you? Is it material, financial, time, talents? Do I consistently give generously of these things? Do you?
Eric said that at a large event over this past weekend he had a moment of clarity in conversation and observation. SPC hosted an event called Bobbapalooza where 1000 high school kids, 110 volunteers, and 26 bands joined together for a “battle of the bands” type experience. Eric was grateful for the people in the 90s that gave generously to build the educational wing of our church. 15 years later, 1100 people are enjoying their generosity. Then he asked, will we be thought of in that way? Are we doing our part to live generously in our days?
I bet we can all think of an instance such as that. I bet we can all agree we'd like to leave a legacy of generosity behind.
John Wesley, religious leader in the 1700s and founder of the Methodist church said, “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”
So...how can you live generously today…by joyful sharing your abundance?
To hear the full message click here and listen to Where it all starts.
Click to read Eric's blog.
