Generosity is a choice—a way of thinking and being. I can live with an open heart and hands, or I can live with clenched fists, clinging to my time and treasure.
God has lovingly continued to speak to my heart and change my focus. Recently, He spoke through this Scripture: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:9-10 NIV). This challenges my heart.
How do we use the resources God has given us, our time, money, possessions, and even our spiritual gifts? Do we use them only for ourselves and our family, or do we intentionally leave enough to share with people experiencing poverty, hurt, or need around us?
I have too often thought in terms of self first, or have refused to share even though I had plenty.
God was giving specific instructions to the nation of Israel in Leviticus, but it reveals His heart. Intentionally leaving resources for the needy is a principle God wants us to apply. He doesn’t want us to use all He gives us selfishly, but to leave room for sharing.
Paul, New Testament writer, shared, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35 NIV). Jesus calls us to a life of giving.
Here are four areas where we can intentionally leave margin for generosity.
1. Income.
All we have is a gift from God, including the ability to work. As James, brother of Jesus, wrote, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17 NIV). Our priority is to meet the needs of our families, but God doesn’t want us to spend every penny on ourselves and our own interests.
It’s not about how much we give because income varies; rather, we’re called to share whatever God has given us. Paul teaches, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).
Money is a touchy subject for many people. Wealth or lack of it has a tremendous influence on our souls. Scripture teaches, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV). Money itself is not a root of evil, but the love of money is the motivation behind many evil acts. Paul also warned, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9 NIV).
This is a hard lesson for a world where becoming a millionaire has become the ultimate dream. We’ve decided money is our security, our guarantee of a happy life. We too often look to money to provide for us rather than trusting our heavenly Father as our provider.
Scripture teaches that we save our lives by losing them, we receive by giving, and we’re lifted through humility. God’s ways are not our ways.
When we decide to be generous with our money, it loses its grip on our hearts. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).
We begin by asking God to reveal how much and when He wants us to give. We acknowledge that all we have belongs to Him.
Scripture calls us to generosity:
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9 NIV).
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16 NIV).
Prayerfully consider: Where can I leave margin in my budget to give to someone in need? How much can I give this week, and where?
2. Possessions.
Many of us have an abundance of possessions, especially in the United States. Visiting a few thrift stores proves this. We donate more things each year than most people in the world ever own. Notice the huge storage units dotting our neighborhoods. One report estimates the revenue from storage units at $44.3 billion. This is not to judge those who rent storage units, but to point out that we have plenty to share. New Testament believers set this example for us: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44-45 NIV).
What if instead of storing possessions, we shared with others or sold them and gave the money to people experiencing poverty? I remember an instance when some friends from Togo needed some furniture. We had an extra table and some chairs, which we offered to them. They were so happy about this gift. What little we could have received from selling could not compare to the gratitude they felt.
Jesus taught, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:33-34 NIV).
Jesus gave us this warning, “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15 NIV).
Consider: What possessions do I have that I could pass on to someone in need?
3. Time.
Time is our most valuable asset. We only have so many hours on earth, and we don’t get a do-over. As I look back on seventy-plus years, I know I can’t change how I used those thousands of days. But I can choose how I will use my time today.
It’s easy to decide that the time we have left after work, chores, and other obligations should be ours to use as we wish. Time to enjoy ourselves, watch television, play games, or scroll on social media. It’s not wrong to spend time on those things, unless we let them take every free minute we have, leaving none for others.
A few years ago, an opportunity came up to join a small group at my church. This meant a commitment of one evening each week. I resisted because I enjoy having my evenings free. I decided I wouldn’t have to go every week. But God had other plans: it became clear He was asking me to lead the group, meaning I would be fully committed. I obeyed His leading, and this group of ladies has become one of His greatest blessings in my life. I agreed to give one evening a week, but the return has been priceless.
God doesn’t ask us to give so much time that our families are neglected, or our health suffers, but He does want us to leave a margin for loving and serving others. Paul exhorts us to, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV).
Prayerfully consider: Where is God asking you to give your time? Who is He calling you to serve with your time?
4. Spiritual gifts and talents.
God gives each of His children spiritual gifts and natural talents to be used for His glory. It might be teaching, serving, showing mercy, helping, or encouraging others. Maybe he’s given you musical or artistic talent, or the ability to understand numbers, work with your hands, or write. All believers have been given gifts to share.
Do we use them for God’s kingdom, for ourselves, or do we hide them because we doubt their validity? Sometimes, we think we’re being humble when we say, “I don’t have any gifts or talents.” This is false humility, rooted in pride. We believe the lie that we must be the best at something or it’s worthless.
Matthew 25:14-30 records a parable Jesus shared about a master who gives each of his servants money to invest. One is given five bags of gold, and another two bags. Both servants multiply their money and are told, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master’s happiness!”
The third servant fearfully hid his bag in the ground and gained nothing. He is told, “You wicked, lazy servant...take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags...And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The master in the story wasn’t concerned with how much each servant had, but that each one had used what he was given.
God wants us to take whatever we have been given and use it for His glory, leaving the results to Him. He doesn’t want us to use these gifts only for selfish gain or to hide them out of fear or doubt, but to use them in faith to bless all those around us. As with the faithful servant in the story, when we are trustworthy with what He has given us, He gives us even more. Will we trust Him in this?
Prayerfully ask, Lord, where do you want me to share the gifts you’ve given me? Open my eyes to see how you can use the talents I have.
Final Thoughts
Sharing money, time, possessions, or talents to help those in need takes intentionality. We plan our budget with room to share. Our schedules have room for serving others. We hold our possessions loosely, knowing they belong to God. And we look for opportunities to use our gifts and share our talents. All we have are gifts from God. He blesses us so we can, in turn, bless others.
What will you share with those you encounter today?
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Ridofranz
Susan Aken is a writer, wife, mom, and follower of Jesus. She is an Oklahoma native but has lived in Nebraska for years. Besides writing, she has a passion for special needs and prayer ministries. She enjoys time with family, reading, and nature photography. She loves studying and teaching Bible truth. She believes life is a journey and we’re all in different places. Jesus is everything to her and it’s all about grace. Visit her at susanaken53.wordpress.com or on Facebook.
