The Benefits of Being Generous
Devotional
READ: John 6:1-13
A common perception is that the benefit of generosity is exclusively directed towards the receiver of the act. It is often viewed as an exchange between a giver and receiver, with the giver losing something they own and the receiver gaining something to their benefit that was not theirs. In God’s economy, He turns this idea upside down. We know that all we are doing is giving someone else what God gave us through His gracious generosity. But in doing so, God uses our transactions of generosity as a conduit to introduce additional blessings into the exchange. These blessings apply to the receiver and the giver, so the benefits can continue to bear fruit far into the eternity of God’s kingdom.
I like how the apostle Paul outlines the benefits of generosity in 1st Timothy. “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19). Paul explains that living a life of generosity is one of the critical things you can do to develop your Christian foundation and receive the eternal blessings God has in store for you.
Living a life of generosity can be difficult. In today’s culture, social media and advertising encourage everyone to prioritize themselves over everything else. In this environment, by living a life outwardly focused on generosity, you will stand out from those around you, giving you the opportunity to reflect Christ to the world. Not only are you helping to satisfy the needs of others, but you are also demonstrating the love of God.
I remember a pivotal time when I was the receiver of other’s generosity. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated my hometown of New Orleans. My family and I were on vacation in Florida when the hurricane made landfall. All my earthly possessions were contained in my one-story home flooded with eleven feet of water. The only thing I had to my name was a few pairs of swim trunks. Fortunately, my family and I were immediately surrounded by people offering us food, shelter, and the basic necessities of life. I’ll never forget my love and gratitude for their generosity in my most significant time of need. I was highly blessed by people who selflessly poured their time and resources into my family. Their impact has forever changed my life.
Moments like these, however big or small, are where kingdom-building can be done, and Christ can be shared. Each act of generosity is like a seed of God planted in the receiver. The more generous we are, the more seeds we sow. The more seeds we sow, the bigger the harvest. Each seed has the potential to provide new life and bear fruit in the recipient. Paul further expanded on God’s response to our generosity in 2 Corinthians 9:10, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
A common perception is that the benefit of generosity is exclusively directed towards the receiver of the act. It is often viewed as an exchange between a giver and receiver, with the giver losing something they own and the receiver gaining something to their benefit that was not theirs. In God’s economy, He turns this idea upside down. We know that all we are doing is giving someone else what God gave us through His gracious generosity. But in doing so, God uses our transactions of generosity as a conduit to introduce additional blessings into the exchange. These blessings apply to the receiver and the giver, so the benefits can continue to bear fruit far into the eternity of God’s kingdom.
I like how the apostle Paul outlines the benefits of generosity in 1st Timothy. “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19). Paul explains that living a life of generosity is one of the critical things you can do to develop your Christian foundation and receive the eternal blessings God has in store for you.
Living a life of generosity can be difficult. In today’s culture, social media and advertising encourage everyone to prioritize themselves over everything else. In this environment, by living a life outwardly focused on generosity, you will stand out from those around you, giving you the opportunity to reflect Christ to the world. Not only are you helping to satisfy the needs of others, but you are also demonstrating the love of God.
I remember a pivotal time when I was the receiver of other’s generosity. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated my hometown of New Orleans. My family and I were on vacation in Florida when the hurricane made landfall. All my earthly possessions were contained in my one-story home flooded with eleven feet of water. The only thing I had to my name was a few pairs of swim trunks. Fortunately, my family and I were immediately surrounded by people offering us food, shelter, and the basic necessities of life. I’ll never forget my love and gratitude for their generosity in my most significant time of need. I was highly blessed by people who selflessly poured their time and resources into my family. Their impact has forever changed my life.
Moments like these, however big or small, are where kingdom-building can be done, and Christ can be shared. Each act of generosity is like a seed of God planted in the receiver. The more generous we are, the more seeds we sow. The more seeds we sow, the bigger the harvest. Each seed has the potential to provide new life and bear fruit in the recipient. Paul further expanded on God’s response to our generosity in 2 Corinthians 9:10, “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”
Personal Reflection
Previously, have you limited your view of generosity to just an exchange of time, effort, resources, etc.? Have your previous acts of generosity helped shape you in any way? Have you been in the position of receiving someone else’s generosity? What was that like? In what ways can you improve the frequency of your generosity to others?
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