One by one men dressed in three-piece suits and women in designer dresses walked by and put enormous amounts of money in this strange looking brass container at the local bank. After a while, a poor old bag lady pushing a shopping cart comes along and drops in two pennies. A man sitting at an outdoor cafe with several friends across the street from the bank sees everything and says, “You see that lady? “She gave more than all the rest of them combined.”  His friends look at him like he’s lost his mind. Yeah right, what school of economics did you go to? Sound familiar? Then Jesus says, “They all put in money out of their abundance but this woman out of her poverty gave everything she had.”

This story is not just about giving money, it’s about generosity. Generosity has nothing to do with how much money you have in your bank account, investment portfolio, or the material possessions you own. Generosity is a matter of the heart. Over the past few years, I am really starting to learn and understand that one of the keys to life-balance, joy, and satisfaction, is generosity. This has not been easy for me. Over the years our family at times has grappled with finances.

Ever hear someone say when I hit it big or win the lottery, I’ll give away a bunch of money.  No, you won’t! Again, when it comes to generosity it’s not about how much money you have, it’s about the condition of your heart. If you won’t give the $20 dollar bill in your pocket now, you won’t give larger amounts later. Proverbs 11:24-25 says, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

A generous person is free and liberal in their giving and sharing. A generous life is so much more than the giving of money. It’s about hospitality, kindness, and unselfishness. Benevolent giving is about the giving of ourselves to others freely and liberally with our time, talents, and treasure. Stop the hoarding!

  Paul in Acts 20:35 says I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” After all, if we are going to follow a good example let’s remember that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son!

The Generosity Factor by Ken Blanchard and S Truett Cathy is a powerful story about a life of generosity. I highly encourage you to read it and then connect back with me and tell me what you learn about the HEART.

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