Live Richly: Embracing Generosity

Author: Jordan Cunningham

Acts 3:6—But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

If you’ve been paying your own bills for more than a few years, you know that, especially now, times are tough. Living expenses have increased significantly while most people’s wages remain unchanged. With this in mind, practicing generosity may cause feelings of apprehension even in the hearts of the most cheerful of givers. When God asks us to obey and give, we may experience uncertainty, doubt, and even fear.

While God does call believers to live generously with their finances, living generously reaches far beyond the spare change in our pockets or the balance of our savings accounts.

To truly live generously, Christians must give of their time, their talents, and their treasures. Many times, as we’ll see in the scripture below, the generosity others need has little to do with finances and everything to do with God’s power.

Acts 3:1-8—”One day, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now, a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

What an incredible story!

There are 3 key points we learn from this passage.

1. Peter and John didn’t let their lack of financial resources stop them from living generously.

2. The gift that the man received far surpassed his expectations of receiving alms.

3. Peter and John’s generosity and obedience to God forever transformed the man’s life and pointed others towards Jesus.

Sometimes, we may feel unable or unqualified to help others because of what we “don’t have.”

But this scripture clearly teaches us to be generous with what we have. For teenagers, they may be offering free babysitting to a family.

For a young married couple, it may be serving faithfully in the Student Ministry mentoring teenagers. It could be hosting a weekly discipleship group in your home, giving others a safe space to ask questions and grow closer to God.

We may feel pressured to be generous in a certain way. Still, when we are submitted to God and obedient to the Spirit’s leading, our generosity may bless someone far beyond their expectations.

Ultimately, we live generously for one purpose: to share the love of Jesus with others so that all may know Him!

Reflection

Have you felt apprehensive to live generously because of fear, doubt, and uncertainty?

Pray and ask God to show you how to live a life of generosity with your time, talents, and treasures.