Devotionals for the Heart: Generosity

Giving our all—no holding back
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

When I was young, I was a major tightwad. I’d save my money in my piggy bank and, later, in my wallet and junior savings account.

“You should have used your money wisely,” I’d shrug when my little sister asked to borrow a few bucks because she’d frittered her cash away on bubble gum and dollar-store trinkets.

But later, my tight fist began to relax. My heart began to expand. I knew I really cared for someone when I’d take some of my hard-earned money and use it for them in some way, whether that was buying them a gift, treating them to lunch, or offering a loan. I started giving a dollar to the homeless guys who’d approach my car asking for a handout. I began to soften.

In His Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus told the crowds, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV).

Back then, before my heart began to soften, I guess my “treasure” was me. I didn’t trust God would provide. I thought it was up to me. I thought I had to make my own way, fill my own heart, take care of me because no one else would. Jessica came first, then everyone else.

But somewhere along the line, I began to realize I was not an island unto myself, to paraphrase the English poet John Donne. I was part of a family, a community, a town, a people. As my faith deepened, I realized my “family” was so much more than my mom and dad, my sister and grandparents—my family included all my brothers and sisters in Christ, those already believers and those not yet believers.

That understanding worked its seed of generosity into my heart, and my former tightwad status began to change, shift, transform, until it was gone like fog misting away on a warm autumn morning. I learned that to give without ever expecting anything in return was the real blessing.

In the Gospel of Mark, there’s a touching story about a widow who gave all she had—everything she had to live on—to God.

As the story goes, “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on’” (Mark 12:41-44).

Why did she do such a thing? Had she given up on life? Did she think her extravagant gift would attract attention?

I don’t think so. I think she gave because she loved God, and she knew He’d take care of her. I think she gave out of an abundance of the heart. She gave her all to God, no holding back.

Money comes and goes. People, jobs, lives, they all come and go. But God is forever. God has always been and will always be.

If you have a problem with being generous, take a good look inside and ask yourself whether you are storing up treasure on earth or in heaven. Ask yourself whether you are living for you or for the Lord.

Sometimes, the way we give can reveal the depth of love we feel for God and for others. Do you need a generosity reset?

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden. 

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism. Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. She has a weekly YouTube devotional, too.

You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and more. She’s also produced a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed.