The Gift Of You: How Living Generously Reflects The Heart Of GodSample

Focusing on Joy

As part of his job at a large Christian ministry, Josh often went to visit people who had given financial gifts. Not only did he want to thank them for their generosity, but he also enjoyed getting to know each person and being able to pray with them.

One day Josh went to the home of an older woman who had recently given a sizable amount from an inheritance. Grateful for her incredible generosity, Josh thanked her warmly and asked how he could pray for her. When they had finished and Josh was getting ready to leave, the woman remarked how much she’d enjoyed giving that gift and how she wished she could do it all over again. 

Being on a fixed income, she didn’t have any more money in the bank that she could give. But after a moment of reflection, she went to a side table and pulled out two more things she wanted to pass along—a five-dollar bill and a chocolate bar. She insisted that Josh receive both of these on behalf of the organization.

From a human perspective, these additional gifts could be seen as rather inconsequential compared to the first sizable gift. But because of her true joy in giving, Josh was touched in a powerful way both spiritually and emotionally. Her example has impacted his own approach to giving, and he loves to share this story with others as an example of God’s love of generosity. It’s this heart of gratitude and joy that’s far more important to God than the earthly significance of our gifts.

Things to Ponder:

• Have you ever been excited to give someone a gift even though it required a sacrifice?
• Was there a time when giving didn’t feel joyful? What was different about that situation?
• What’s one generous thing you could do this week that would bring joy?