Fierce : Uncommon Faith in Uncertain TimesSample

FIERCE GENEROSITY

The year 2020 will forever be marked as the year when the Corona virus pandemic hit our communities. Millions of people were asked to stay in their homes, sporting events, concerts and schools all across the world were completely shut down. Yet, even though social distancing was required, people still found ways to be generous. For a time in early April of that year, there was a toilet paper shortage in the United States as people stock piled it out of fear (who knew toilet paper ranks up there with food and water on the essential survival list!). One story of generosity sticks out when a group of boy scouts in Florida went by residences in their neighborhood and left toilet paper and encouraging notes on the doors of their elderly neighbors. Stories of generosity always shine through the darkness. Similarly to forgiveness, generosity is uncommon.  

Generosity is central to the Christian faith. Jesus is the most generous person you will ever meet, and if discipleship means becoming more like Jesus, then we must allow generosity to blossom in the seedbeds of our souls. 

A radically generous life will be filled with more joy and freedom than you can imagine. It is a law of nature, like gravity, God simply wired us to enjoy life more when we are generous. The world’s paradigm of wealth promises fulfillment from keeping as much for yourself as possible. But always challenge the world’s view with the Gospel view.

We need a renewed relationship with money. It is time to re-define money as a tool for God’s purposes, rather than something that belongs to us. Like one organization that promotes generosity says, it is our job “to see the generosity of God displayed through the generosity of God’s people.”  It is our job to be stewards of money, but not find our stability or comfort in it. Money will never give you the stability that only God can give.

Our relationship with money will change when we begin to give it generously above and beyond to the point that it costs us something. True generosity is generosity that costs you something. As the late Ravi Zacharias said “You will never be able to worship [God] without giving him your BEST. The best of your time, the best of your intellect, the best of your substance, the best of your gifts…..you cannot worship God without sacrifice” (November 2019). 

But being a fiercely generous person is not just about money. It is about using any and all of the resources under our control to take initiative for the benefit of others. That could be money, or it could also be time, our relationships, our intellect or ideas, our homes, our influence. Find creative ways to give and be fiercely generous this week!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for begin so generous with me! My very life and breath are a gift from you. Help me to be thankful in any circumstance and find ways to reflect your generosity to the world.