The Greatest Gift Of All

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How do we develop a heart of generosity, and how do we encourage others to live generous lives, when we live in a world that so often sends such loud messages that it’s wiser to keep resources for ourselves and for those closest to us? Our minds race with thoughts such as, “What if we will need that money or those resources later? Surely difficult days will arise in the future, if we are not in the midst of them now. Isn’t it smarter to keep that money, land or resource for ourselves and those we love?” True heartfelt generosity […]

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How Generosity Can Rob Us Of Our Joy

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Wait, what? Isn’t generosity supposed to bring us joy? How can acts of generosity rob us of joy? Well, stay tuned. I need to be careful with definitions if I am to make my point clearly. First, consider the definition of ‘generous’. One common dictionary offers this, “(of a person) showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.” Webster likes, “liberal in giving.” Still another, “the trait of being willing to give your money or time.” Pretty clear. To be generous is to give more (liberally) than expected of your […]

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A Community of Giving and Receiving

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(The following is excerpted from Rob Martin’s upcoming book, When Money Goes on Mission: Fundraising and Giving in the 21st Century by Moody Publishers) When money “goes on mission,” it travels in the form of financial gifts, carried along in the pockets of those who spend it on the ordinary things of life and ministry so they can do the extraordinary things God has called them to do… In general, money passing from one person to another is a transaction, nothing more than an exchange of something of value for something of value in return. However, unlike everyday financial transactions, […]

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Giving and Generosity

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Is giving something to someone else always an act of generosity? What qualifies giving of our time, talent, or treasure as generosity. I have many times given some candy to my children to “calm” them down, to restore the peace, or to distract them. More recently, I volunteered to “serve”, but I was actually intending to expand my network of business contacts by giving of my time. What is the difference in the stories of Barnabas, the Levite, from the island of Cyprus who sold a field he owned, and that of Ananias and his wife Sapphira who also sold […]

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Accountability and Generosity

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The connection between accountability and generosity can be traced back to the biblical pattern set by the Apostle Paul in his international orchestration of the Jerusalem collection from A.D. 53-58. In his correspondence, we find these four practical points for modern application. I suggest God’s workers all over the world follow Paul’s example to promote accountability and encourage greater generosity. Provide Consistent Directions for God’s People – Notice Paul did not beg for money, which would imply they were owners of financial resources. Instead, he taught them basic financial stewardship. He instructed people set aside whatever extra they earn to […]

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Biblical Stewardship: The Foundation of All Generosity

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Generosity is the overflow of the stewardship mindset that says God owns it all and I am only a steward of the resources in my hands, including my life. This truth has far-reaching implications in the way we live our lives and use the resources entrusted to us including money, possessions, our work, our business, and everything else we got. God bestows material blessing to his people in order that they can help those who have less in this life. Giving and sharing liberate God’s people from hoarding material things and loving mammon. If we train ourselves to give away […]

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