The Fruit of Hope: Discovering Hope in the Fruits of the SpiritSample

We tend to think of generosity as having to do with financial resources—and it certainly does have to do with that—but it’s about so much more.

Jesus himself spoke about generosity in the Gospel of Luke, a passage which a lot of churchgoing people know practically by heart since it’s often heard around the time in a service when the offering is being taken up:

“[G]ive, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” (Luke 6:38, NRSV)

Certainly something to take to heart when it comes to financial matters. But the verse that directly precedes it lets us know that Jesus wants us to be generous in everything:

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven…” (Luke 6:37, NRSV)

The passage that comes before that, the one that provides a lot of context for the verse on generosity, is all about loving your enemies, praying for those who mistreat you, turning the other cheek, and giving in abundance even when you’re stolen from.

How on earth can you express that kind of generosity without hope?! How can you do any of those things without the help of the hope that God is for you and will see you and bless you for demonstrating his love through generosity?

Hope sowed makes the fruit of generosity possible.

How can you be generously hopeful today?