A Three Step Journey to GenerositySample

Day 4 - Possibilities 

A couple of years ago, I went through a plan like this and decided one morning that I was going to double the tip when I purchased my morning coffee.  I had never even left a tip at this particular coffee shop before, so this was an exciting decision.  As I waited in line, I watched the barista closely and wondered how my little tip might bless her that day.  Would she use the money to bless her kids in some way?  Would she treat herself to something special?  Would she pay a bill?  A huge grin formed across my face as I went through the line, and I even found myself praying and asking God to bless her in extravagant ways.  The feeling I had leaving the coffee shop stayed with me all day and even as I went to bed that night I was still thinking about how this simple act of overflowing generosity stayed with me.  I don’t share that story to point to my good deed.  I share it because it illustrates what generosity was designed to do:  connect me to God in a new way, bless others, and provide fulfillment as I walk out how I was created.

I’m sure you've heard the Bible story of the Good Samaritan.  A man is attacked and left for dead.  Then, a rival from another community stops and saves this man and pays for his expenses.  It’s a great example of someone being so intentional with his financial resources that he had more than enough to respond in the moment when God presented the opportunity for generosity.  He obviously had enough to meet his own needs and was overflowing with generosity as he provided for the one who had been attacked and was in need.

There is a scripture in 2 Corinthians 9:8 that describes Overflowing generosity.  To summarize, it highlights that God always provides all you need so that you will have plenty left over to share.  Notice the abundance and overflowing nature of the words used in the passage: all, always, plenty, left over.  Remember, ultimately, all of our resources come from God (Deuteronomy 10:14 confirms that He owns it all to begin with) for the specific reason of meeting our needs and then to meet the needs of others.

Question:  If money were no object and you could do anything you wanted to bless others financially, what would you do?  

Give it a Try:  Write a thank you note to God recognizing him as the owner and provider of all you have.