Going Above and Beyond: Becoming a Generous LeaderSample

Day Four: Going Beyond the Tithe

For most of us, giving and generosity have been part of our faith since we first came to Christ.

We're taught about the tithe and our responsibility to give the first 10% of everything we have to the church (Leviticus 27:30).

We learn that kindness and goodness are fruits of the Spirit, by which we should model our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

And throughout the New Testament, we're instructed to practice hospitality and share with God's people who are in need (Romans 12:13).

But in ministry, it can be easy to fall into patterns of routine in our faith instead of actively living in the generosity God calls us to every day.

When we simply give our tithe and consider it an act of generosity, we're missing out on the bigger blessing God makes available to us. Tithing in and of itself is not generosity. Tithing is an act of obedience. It’s fulfilling what God has called each of us as believers to do.

Generosity goes a step further and asks God, “What would you like me to do with the rest?"

Everything we have, from our talents to our families, our jobs, houses, and cars, are all gifts to us from our Creator.

The key to living a life of generosity is acknowledging we're not the owners of these gifts. We're simply managers of what God has given us. We shouldn’t seek new blessings from God if we’re not stewarding the ones He’s already placed in our hands.

Living a life of generosity usually leads to giving in ways that don’t make sense. This kind of giving means loosening our grip on our possessions and trusting God with the details of our story.

In Luke 12:34, we're reminded that our hearts follow our treasures. In the same way, our generosity is not only an act of kindness; it's also a reflection of where our hearts truly lie.

How you choose to see God will determine how you spend your money, time, and resources. If you think God is holding out on you, you’ll hold back and hold out on others. If you believe your treasure is in heaven and God is an open-handed provider, you’ll live generously.

Let’s lead the way when it comes to giving by always going above and beyond.