Generous – How can we better serve God through giving?

As children, we don’t always remember being generous in our actions, except maybe for the times our parents encouraged us to share our toys with others.  I have fond memories of my neighborhood carnival days, advertised by Muscular Dystrophy charity to help them raise money for their charity.  At the age of 10, was the Holy Spirit moving me even then?   The first year I set up, with the help of my mom, the fundraiser outside on the curb of our home.  We had tables covered with items that were generously donated by me visiting many of the local businesses.  Our next-door neighbor, I recall, even made pizzas to sell.  The neighborhood all pulled together to support this worthwhile cause and generously supported me too!  I was so excited when the total at the end of the day was $45.00.  But that wasn’t enough – I wanted to be more generous with my donation to Muscular Dystrophy.  So generous, that I went to my mother’s purse and slipped out a five dollar bill and added it to my sales for the day.  Somehow, I don’t think that’s what Jesus had in mind when he encourages us to be generous with others.  But, believe me, my heart was in the right place.  I continued to do these neighborhood carnivals for a few years, contributed all the monies to a different charity each year, but never used my mother’s unknown generosity again.  Many times, our actions are well intended to be generous with our monies, our time and our talent.  Jesus only asks us to give from the heart.  You and I are called every single day to be generous with all the gifts He has given us.   I look back and understand the Holy Spirit was working in my life even back then.  Where is Jesus asking you to be more generous?  No matter what our age, if you and I take the time to listen, we’ll feel Him gently guide us to where He wants us to use our generosity. 

“But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”  Luke 8:15