On a recent trip to Colorado, I was encouraged by a generous man. He died long ago, but his actions still motivated me to study generosity and how it builds Christian character…
In 1879, Charles Elliott Perkins, a prominent railroad executive, purchased 240 acres in a majestic place called Garden of the Gods. Initially, he planned to build a summer home on the land, but after some thought, he decided to keep it in its natural state and let visitors enjoy it free of charge.
Later on, even after purchasing more land there, Perkins still chose not to build and continued sharing it. He died in 1907, and two years later, the Perkins children fulfilled his final wish for the property. Transferring his amazing 480 acres to the city of Colorado Springs, they officially and permanently established it as a free public park. In 1971, the Garden of the Gods became a designated National Natural Landmark.
I learned about the Perkins family gift from a dedication plaque attached to this rock spire in the park. My eyes traveled to the peaks surrounding me, and I was struck by the great kindness of this man.
As I walked the trails and watched the visitors enjoying the park, I thought about his generosity. Did Mr. Perkins practice any religion? I don’t know. I was only able to learn his father was a Unitarian minister. Certainly, the reasons and motivations for generous giving vary person to person, and I won’t try to guess what his might have been. Life has taught me people from all different backgrounds and faiths can be compassionate. But, I began wondering:
“What inspires Christians to be generous? And, how does being generous build their Christian character?”
How the Bible defines generosity…
“Generosity is an attitude of gladly sharing whatever we might have regardless of wealth.” ~Charles F. Stanley, In Touch Ministries
Often, people equate generosity with large financial donations, but it is actually displayed in a variety of sizes and methods. Everyone is able to share something, and a person with any amount of wealth can be deemed generous.
Money is merely one method of giving. There are other resources we can offer, perhaps even more generously. Resources such as our time and energy, kindness and support, skills and talents, prayers, and God’s Word are also incredibly valuable.
In the Bible, we can read stories that teach us about thoughtful and selfless giving (e.g. the widow’s offering in Mark 12:41-44). We are also taught to love others the way we have been loved by God–not unwillingly or hesitantly, but freely and gladly (John 15:12, Gal 6:2, 2 Cor 9:7, 2 Cor 8:12). As Christians, we are motivated by the Holy Spirit, and our generosity grows and flows from an increasing awareness of God’s own example.
God’s generosity inspires our own
God’s generosity began with the creation of our beautiful world and humanity. We were designed to reflect his character and to thrive in an eternal relationship with him. But, sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, and it became a part of the whole human race. Our sin, like theirs, separates us from God and the joy of eternal life with him.
Thankfully, God is generous with us. He loves us unconditionally and will not abandon us. Even in the midst of our sin, he extends a way back into an eternal relationship with him. He gave his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, as the way to redemption–paying for sin and making us right with him (John 3:16, 2 Cor 9:15). And Jesus, as God in flesh, made the ultimate sacrifice. He generously gave his life to free all believers from sin and death (John 15:13).
When we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we become a new creation. We are not yet sinless, but our new nature strives to live faithfully for Christ. Gradually, the Holy Spirit works at transforming our character to look more Christlike (Rom 8:29). Because we are his followers, we want to be generous. In fact, it’s impossible to love the way Jesus loved unless we are generous (1 John 3:17, 1 John 4:19, John 13:35, 1 John 3:7).
As faith grows, so does understanding of the generous nature of God. With grateful hearts, we seek ways to shine a light on him and bring him glory with our lives (Matt 5:16). His giving motivates us to give. We want to share–not reluctantly or sparingly, but generously…abundantly! And, God gives us the means to do so through the help of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Jesus.
Three Ways Generosity Builds Christian Character
Jesus’ life, teachings, and sacrifice all modeled generosity, and practicing it ourselves gives the Holy Spirit opportunities to build Christian character in many ways. Here are just a few:
(1) Generosity helps us identify and use spiritual gifts
Every time we practice generosity,
every time we freely and cheerfully give to others,
we offer the Holy Spirit an opportunity to teach us something about our spiritual gifts.
The Holy Spirit gives each Christian spiritual gifts for the purpose of encouraging and building up the church–Jesus’ entire body of believers (1 Cor 12:4-6, 1 Cor 12:27). As unique as the individual, these heaven sent abilities vary in type and quantity.
No one spiritual gift is better than another; each is designed to contribute, uplift, or unify the church in a specialized way (1 Cor 12:21-26). For example, the gift of hospitality might be used to warmly welcome others with food, information, or a place to stay. The gift of teaching could assist with Bible study classes or youth groups. And, the gift of encouragement can strengthen people in their relationships or missions.
Figuring out what spiritual gifts we have and how to use them can be challenging. Spiritual gift tests can help recognize areas of strength. Gathering feedback from others can also point you in the right direction. Another way to discover your spiritual gifts is simply to practice being generous in different ways.
Offering our resources through acts of service allows the Holy Spirit to teach us about our spiritual gifts. In areas we are gifted in, he inspires or motivates us to act, delivers wisdom and guidance, and fills us with joy and satisfaction. As we try out various uses for our gifts, he will continue to teach us about them, transform us through them, and deepen our relationship with God.
Consider:
- What do people admire about you? What activities do you enjoy that can also help or encourage others?
- How can you be generous with your resources to identify the gifts God gave you and build up the church?
- In your prayers, ask for greater understanding of your spiritual gifts and for the desire to share them generously.
(2) Generosity combats idolatry
Every time we practice generosity,
every time we freely and cheerfully give to others,
our actions make a statement:
I will honor God above everything else.
Idolatry is worshipping something or someone other than God. For example, money and material possessions are common idols. The world presses us to believe we earned these things, we should want more of them, and we should hold them tight. In contrast, the Christian view is that everything we have comes from and belongs to God (Rom 11:36).
Generosity wages war against idolatry. When we share our prized resources and trust God’s use of them, we shake loose the grip we are tempted to keep on them. Generous actions keep our priorities straight by pushing back hard against whatever poses a threat to God’s place in our hearts (1 Tim 6:17-19, Matt 6:19-21, Psalm 119:36).
As we grow in our understanding of God’s care, we become more apt to open our hands, eagerly offering back what we have with the hope of bringing him glory. All the resources entrusted to us are for God’s glory, not our own. What we have is to be shared to make him known (1 Cor 10:31, Eph 3:20, 1 Tim 6:7).
Authentic generosity will not seek recognition or praise from others as those things can quickly turn into idols themselves (Matt 6:1-4). Instead of self-serving motives, the intent of true generosity is to better the lives of others. If our motives are right, then our lives will naturally become more fulfilling, joyous, and closer to Jesus.
Consider:
- Where do you spend your time, money, energy, and talents? What does your life suggest you live for? Can you identify idols?
- How could you use your resources to nurture a deeper relationship with God instead of an idol?
- In your prayers, ask God to help you identify any idols, then work to break free of them by being generous.
(3) Generosity displays trust in God
Every time we practice generosity,
every time we freely and cheerfully give,
we show others how much God’s love can be trusted.
Generosity is good, but sometimes we can be reluctant givers, right?! Our resources are precious to us, therefore, we are prone to worrying about them. We worry about not having enough, wisely distributing, or who deserves what we have to give. God wants us to be responsible with our resources, but he does not want us to worry excessively over them. Repeatedly, the Bible instructs us not to worry or fear, but trust God (Phil 4:19, Isaiah 41:10, Matt 6:25-34).
Our worries, fears, hesitations, and even grudges lead to missed opportunities of sharing generously. These opportunities could give others a chance to see God’s goodness and the confidence we have in him (2 Cor 9:8, 11, Hebrews 13:16).
People notice generosity. Seeing it in action, overflowing from someone’s life, brings forth all kinds of feelings–curiosity, awe, appreciation, hope, happiness…Those feelings are a wake up call to God’s work here; they stir up wonder about God. Being generous may mean stepping out of our comfort zones, but the rewards can be great. Our generosity in action models the love of Jesus and encourages others to believe in him.
Consider:
- Do you remember a time when worry, fear, or hesitation caused you to hold back your generosity?
- How could you use generosity to display the trusting relationship you are building with God?
- In your prayers, ask God to help you trust him as you practice generosity.
Generosity returns to you
Our love and gratitude for God generates an overwhelming eagerness to share him, and when we do, our generosity returns to us. It even multiplies (Luke 6:38, Proverbs 11:25, Proverbs 3:9-10, 2 Cor 9:6, Psalm 112:5, Proverbs 22:9, Acts 20:35, Matt 10:42, Malachi 3:10, Psalm 112:9, Proverbs 19:17). God pours out more generosity–surprising us with his loving ways, providing more resources for use in serving him, prospering us spiritually in our faith, and rewarding us in this life and the next.
Generosity builds Christlike character, but it is not simple and it does not happen overnight. We need to watch for and create opportunities to gladly share our resources. Being mindful and intentional about giving offers the Holy Spirit opportunities to transform us more and more to reflect the image of Christ. Surely, the ways he uses generosity to build our Christian character stretch far beyond three! Let’s start counting…
I am praying for you:
Today, may someone clearly see
the light shining through you is
God’s generosity.
Press on in faith my friends! ~Jamie
Related Posts
25 Bible Verses About Generosity
15 Quotes About Generosity
10 Ways to Give God Glory in your Life
Kick Materialism to the Curb
Encourage and Build Each Other Up
Love on Ordinary Days
Connecting with the Holy Spirit
Idolatry: worshipping family instead of God
Trusting God along the Eagle Trail: Isaiah 40:31
Inspiring Resources
Generosity Biblical Theme–bibleproject.com
What does the Bible say about generosity?–GotQuestions.org
A prayer for a generous heart–YouVersion.com
Generosity is an attitude, not an amount–PastorRick.com
Aim all you have at heaven–desiringgod.org
Generosity: what are we missing–bibleproject.com
Garden of the Gods, park information–gardenofthegods.com
Stay in Touch
I’d love to have you join my group of email subscribers. Join now and receive my list of 20 Scriptures to Tuck Away for Difficult Days.
Pingback: 25 Bible Verses About Generosity - A Scriptured Life