Generosity Prompt #27 - ENOUGH

“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?” Ecclesiastes 5:10-11

Today’s Thought – Have you ever pondered the question, How much is enough? Solomon did and reached the exasperating conclusion that there is never enough.  What if “enough” is exactly what God has given you today? What can you do to intentionally share the “enough” God has placed under your care? “Enough time”, “enough money”, “enough skills”?

Generosity Prompt – Approach a local school or ministry and ask about their greatest volunteer or financial need.  Commit to fill it or find others who will.

Generosity Prompt #26 - TRUE SACRIFICE

“As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4

Thought for the day - God doesn’t’t measure our giving by the size of the gift but by the size of the sacrifice.

Generosity Prompt - Carry a designated amount of cash larger than you normally would (perhaps your Starbucks or lunch money for the month) in your pocket or separate area of your purse and ask God for an opportunity to give it away. Keep trying everyday until you can.

My Stuff or God's Stuff?

"Whole-life generosity - an overflowing life released to God for others." - Overflow: A life refreshed by generosity

Does this definition of generosity fit your lifestyle?  Often, words like "overflowing" and "released" are not how we would describe our personal generosity.  It is more likely that your garage, closet, or junk drawer (everyone has a junk drawer) is "overflowing" and you would like to "release" the mess to someone else.  Garage sale anyone?!?

But what if we began to shift in our generosity?  Specifically in how we think and in what we do.  What if you "released" all your stuff to the purpose of God.  What if God could get His hands on you and your stuff any time He wanted to?  Below I've included a question for reflection from a recent event called Journey of Generosity (JoG).  As you read, I also hope you will take time to reflect.  What is God saying to you?  What will you do about it?

"Am I viewing myself as a manager or trustee of what God's given me, or seeing myself as owner and controller of my own stuff?  Are there things that God would have me manage differently if I acknowledged them as really being His?" - Journey of Generosity

Generosity Prompt #25 - GENEROUS JOY

“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.” Philemon 1:7

Today’s Thought - Generously caring for others yields joy.  Time spent “doing life” together creates opportunities for joyous celebration.

Generosity Prompt – Celebrate the joy of generous community by gathering a few friends to spend a fun evening of karaoke, playing games or cards.

Generosity Prompt #24 - SIDE-BY-SIDE

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24

Today’s Thought - Have you experienced the fun of working together? Somehow those tasks that are otherwise mundane take on a new life in the presence of others working side-by-side.

Generosity Prompt – Do you know someone who is moving, having a baby, in the hospital? Organize a few families or your small group to be a work crew to provide a day of labor for them.

Generosity Prompt #23 - THE POWER OF TOGETHER

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-45, 47b

Today’s Thought – Can you imagine the blessing of being part of a community of individuals who “have your back” knowing that when needs arise they stand with you to help? What about the joy of using what you have to respond to others’ needs? What would it take to create this type of community in your world?

Generosity Prompt – Share The Big Give video (https://vimeo.com/100322950) with your small group or a close group of friends.  Discuss what becoming a community of generosity might look like in your group.

Generosity Prompt #22 - CARING SERVICE

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:27

Today’s Thought - Widows and single moms have many daily and practical household needs that are easy to overlook.

Generosity Prompt – How could you serve a widow or single mom today? Perform a minor repair, cut her grass or perhaps watch her kids for a quiet evening to herself.

Generosity Prompt #21 - GENEROUS FILLING

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” Matthew 25:44

Today’s Thought – Have you ever been really hungry, the kind of hunger where you were distracted from all else? Feeding a hungry person is one of the simplest yet effective ways we can be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Generosity Prompt – Contribute food today to a family in need or to a local food pantry.

Generosity Prompt #20 - JESUS’ PRIORITY

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Today’s Thought – Do you make children a priority in your life? Even if you are single, there is a child that could use your compassionate touch.  Ask God to open your eyes to the children around you today.

Generosity Prompt – Is there a child in your life who is sad or facing difficult circumstances? Reach out to show them you care with a balloon, ice cream cone or other small gift.

Generosity Prompt #19 - RECONCILIATION

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-29

Today’s Thought - There is a counter-intuitive side to living for Christ. Jesus was constantly challenging his followers to live life in ways that demonstrated forgiveness and restoration.  Have you ever considered that turning the other cheek when someone wrongs you may be the most generous gift you can give in order to bring him/her back to Christ?

Generosity Prompt - Pray and ask the Spirit to show you if there is someone that you need to forgive.  They may not have asked for forgiveness.  If possible, meet with them today to tell them that you forgive them and desire restoration.  If not possible to communicate with them, write a letter to God telling Him that you have forgiven and asking Him to heal your heart.

Generosity Prompt #18 - GENEROUS WORDS

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Today’s Thought - Is there a relationship that you’ve damaged through criticism or negative talk? It’s easy to assume that the listener knew your heart and intent or understood that you were just “blowing off steam.”

Generosity Prompt – Ask God to reveal and bring back to mind hurtful words you’ve said and quickly contact the person to ask for forgiveness.

Generosity Prompt #17 - A GENEROUS MIND

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Today’s Thought - Training my thoughts is a full-time job, especially when it comes to people in my world who are hard to love!

Generosity Prompt – Think of someone who is unlovable or difficult to be around.  Ask God to show you one positive attribute about them and write them a short note of affirmation.

Generosity Prompt #16 - RELEASING MY AGENDA

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13

Today’s Thought – What does laying down your life look like today? Is it making time for listening, really listening to your child even though you have a work deadline? Is it engaging with that person in your office or neighborhood who has more needs than you can handle? What would you set aside of your agenda to serve another?

Generosity Prompt – Ask God to interrupt your day so that you might practice “laying down” your agenda to meet another’s need.

Generosity Prompt #15 - GENEROUS WITH SKILLS

“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 11:19

Today’s Thought – This verse is God’s lesson in LIFE TRAINING 101.  Working side-by-side can be the best opportunity to pour into the life of another.

Generosity Prompt – Share one of your skills/talents with a younger person, single mother or neighbor.  Examples: how to do a math problem; how to change the oil in their car; how to plan a grocery list and use coupons to save money, etc.

Generosity Prompt #14 - OTHERS FOCUSED

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Philippians 2:5-7

Today’s Thought - The one who follows in the footsteps of Jesus will be others- focused and give willingly, joyfully and sacrificially.

Generosity Prompt – Help in an area that you normally would not - for example, do someone else’s chore at home, assist a coworker in their responsibility at work, take a neighbor’s trash can back from the curb – and try to do it secretly if possible!

Generosity Prompt #13 - LETTING ANOTHER IN

Today’s Thought - Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. ~ Henri J.M. Nouwen

Generosity Prompt – Is there someone at work, school, church or in your neighborhood that you tend to brush off? Let them into your life today by intentionally connecting with them in conversation.

Generosity Prompt #12 - HOSPITALITY PRACTICE

“Always be eager to practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13

Today’s Thought – Did you realize that hospitality takes practice? Especially in today’s fast-paced society, the thought of formal entertaining is often a good intention at best.  What if we reclaimed the “front porch hospitality” of a more simple time?

Generosity Prompt – Invite a neighbor into your home for dessert or meet them on the porch to enjoy conversation together.  Seek a tangible way to invite a neighbor into your life.

Generosity Prompt #11 - KEEP ON LOVING

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 13:1

Today’s Thought - To “keep on loving” means my eyes are on the alert constantly scanning for those who are in need of connection so that I can invite them into my world and relationships.

Generosity Prompt – Involving your family in “loving one another” is one of the wisest things we can do. Schedule a family meeting to talk about one new thing you can do to serve someone new or in need in the neighborhood or your church.

Generosity Prompt #10 - GENEROUS LISTENING

“He [Jesus] asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast.” Luke 24:17

Today’s Thought – When Jesus encountered the men on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection, he asked them questions (even though he already knew the answers). Do I approach conversations with the same generous spirit making the commitment to hear exactly what others are saying? Listening communicates that I value those who want me to hear them.

Generosity Prompt - Time is often one of the hardest things to give in light of our busy schedule.  Think of someone who needs your uninterrupted presence and give them listening ears and words of encouragement as you respond. 

Generosity Prompt #9 - ENCOURAGING THE SERVANTS

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11

Today’s Thought – We usually think of this verse in terms of humbling ourselves as leaders.  Have you considered the other vantage point? Look around the home, office, restaurant and everywhere you go today.  Try to find the greatest one in the room – the one who is invisibly serving.

Generosity Prompt – If you go out to eat today, change your tip – 1) if you go to a restaurant that doesn’t’t receive tips, give a tip to the person cleaning tables 2) if they do receive tips, double your tip (or double the bill as a tip!) Honor these servants and enjoy their reactions.