The Value of Generosity: A 3-Day Marriage PlanSample

“Are You Jesus?”

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."(1 Timothy 6:18)

After their meeting ran late, five out‐of‐town salesmen hurried as fast as they could to catch their train. As they raced through the terminal, one inadvertently kicked over a slender table on which rested a basket of apples. It belonged to a ten‐year‐old blind boy who was selling apples to pay for his books and clothes for school. The salesmen clambered aboard the train, but one felt compassion for the boy. He asked his friends to call his wife and tell her he would be late getting home. Then he jumped off the train and returned to where the boy was standing.

As the salesman gathered up the apples scattered across the floor, he noticed that several were bruised or split. Reaching into his pocket, he said to the boy, “Here’s twenty dollars for the apples we damaged. I hope we didn’t spoil your day. God bless you.” As he walked away, the boy called after him, “Are you Jesus?”

We are most like Christ when we show compassion and generosity to others. Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). We reflect His character whether we’re helping someone less fortunate or giving our mate a back rub at the end of the day.

Questions for Today . . .

• How do your interactions with others reflect the character of Jesus?
• When was the last time you stopped to help another person in need?
• How do you feel when you show compassion to someone else?

Prayer . . .

Lord, we ask that Your extravagant love would flow through us each day to touch those around us. Show us how to serve, to help, and to give without expecting anything in return. Amen.

(Excerpted from Dr. James and Shirley Dobson’s book, Night Light for Couples. Used with permission.)

Bonus Content: Hearts of Compassion

Everywhere we turn these days there are people in need. Some needs are small and easy to meet. But others are bigger and require us to get out of our comfort zone. In this video, Brennen and Morgan Beeler explain how we can help our kids understand true compassion and why it’s so important to demonstrate it.