I’m not going to say much in this post. I know that disappoints you and even surprises you. 😉 But if you watch the following video, the point will be made in itself.
My plan was to talk about the need for generosity. I just finished reading Reckless Faith by Kevin Harney and he talked about that very thing. Reckless Generosity.
I like being generous. I dislike having to hold back because of something foolish I may have done. Worse though is the feeling of “ownership” that comes to so many people. “I worked hard for this and it is mine.” So we hold on. I remember the .38 Special song “Hold on Loosely.” While I know it has nothing to do with money/possessions, it is wise advice to heed.
Kevin writes: “If we are going to live a recklessly generous life, we must gain a heavenly perspective on material things. The Bible does not teach that money, in and of itself, is evil. But the love of money is the starting point of all sorts of evil. “
Like the monkey illustration used in the video, holding on to what doesn’t matter leads to all sorts of traps. All they have to do is let go of the orange and they are free. When we grab onto something so tightly, it grabs us and won’t let us go.
Hold on loosely. Let go of the garbage that weighs you down. Get free. Live generously. What do you think? Are you naturally a generous person? Have you found foolish moves in the past have affected your ability to be generous?
I love to help folks however I can. Not necessarily with money.
Nothing says generosity is only monetary. I apologize if I gave that picture Larry.
I know that at times in the past I have given generously and then felt sick realizing that I gave more than I was comfortable with. That type of feeling can destroy so much within. However, I have also given generously and just felt enriched to the point that I received more than I gave away. That type of feeling is one to cultivate.
Am I generous? Well to my daughter, most especially yes. To others, well I am getting better with age.
It is a joy to know you have given away and helped someone. I have wondered at times if I have overdone it…or been taken advantage of. However, I would prefer to be taken advantage of and give out of a sincere heart than to be selfish and miss an opportunity to help someone. And I do hope I am getting better with age.
That I so often act like the monkey…trying to hang onto …whatever…exposes me…condemns me. I do not love God and my neighbor as myself. I don’t seek out the needy, and often ignore them.
I really need a Savior. I have One. Thanks be to God.
I am also glad I have a Savior.
If we were to rely on anything that we did to be saved…we’d be lost for sure.
Thanks, Bill.
No doubt. I would fall woefully short Steve.
Great video. We do hang onto things with the instinct of an animal. Material things disappear like the wind, it is the giving from the heart that helps to break the bonds of this flesh and set us free. A good reminder for all of us. Thanks, Bill.
Material things are like the wind. Sounds like a take from Ecclesiastes. 🙂 Giving from the heart is the key. thanks Floyd.
I LOVE to give to others. However, I have to admit that bad choices in the past both with money and spouses have led me to a place where I can’t be as generous as I would like to be.
You and me both Jason. I rue the day I started thinking I had to keep up with the Joneses.
I think I am a generous person, but we got into the money trap, too. There are other ways to be generous, though. Some of the ways can be giving of time, lending of resources, crafty people usually have scraps and pieces that can be used to make small gifts without any expenditure, writing an encouraging email (or even better snail mail) are some of them.
I know most people are very busy, but I’ve found doing those small things is refreshing.
You are so right Susan. Last week I hand wrote a note to someone who had been coming as a visitor but the husband had some medical stuff done and so they have missed a couple of weeks. They were so overwhelmed and grateful that I had taken the time to hand write a note to them and not do something electronically.
Through the years we have under give a lot more then we have over give. I would rather ere on the side of over giving. Working on a post on contentment on giving now. It start with right thinking that all we have God gave us. Just one walk in my neighbor reveals how much stuff everyone is holding on to. I have never heard anyone say when I get a raise I will up my giving to the church, to a missionary, to a Christian organization. It’s, when I get a raise we are going to get this, go somewhere. You are so right, our giving shows where our heart is. Good post brother, a touchy one, you can talk about a lot of things but there are two areas we do not like..don’t touch our children, don’t touch our money. keep preaching the whole counsel of God brother.
You hit it Betty. I would rather err on the side of over-giving than being stingy and under-giving. I will “retire” with very little monetary value to speak of (no SS or retirement) but know that I have laid up treasures where they add up.
This post reminds me of something I heard Andy Stanley say recently … he never buys anything so valuable that he wouldn’t be willing to loan it out. I love that idea of holding things so loosely that they are available to whomever God wants to bless through me. Great post!
I love that thought from Andy. You got the point of the post Lyn. Thanks for taking the time to comment and add to this discussion.
Great video. I’m “generous,” but I have plenty. I doubt that I’ve ever given til it hurts. Because I haven’t, I don’t really feel generous.
I too wonder if I have given til it hurts. That is a tough call. Generosity is from the heart.
This was so encouraging . .thank you! It has me thinking about the one hand not knowing what the other is doing, as we give. I like to be generous, then wonder if I’m being foolish. So hearing everyone say they would rather err that way, blesses me. God bless you as you hold loosely today!
One hand not knowing what the other is doing is so important, especially when it involves others. Anonymous giving is so rewarding. Thanks Deb
I find that my generosity tends to wax and wane. The love of money is a regular battle for me, not something that’s a one-time fix. There have been times where I’ve been very generous and times where I get a little antsy writing that tithe check. But sometimes God uses those thin times to show you that we need to keep our eyes on the eternal.
The love of money isn’t so much my problem. (You gotta have it to have a problem right?) My big problem is using wisely what I do have.