Living Generously

About a month ago Dino Rizzo from Healing Place Church shared a message about living generously as part of a One Prayer series in which our church participated. Living generously is part of Chris and I’s family mission statement, so Dino’s message resonated with me. He shared this verse from Proverbs:

Proverbs 11:24-25

24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; 
       another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

 25 A generous man will prosper; 
       he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed

And this weekend, Darren DeLaune, our Conway Campus Executive Pastor, shared a verse from 1 Peter 4:10:

“God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.”

Like so many other Americans, our budget is stretched thin. We are constantly thinking of ways to be more frugal and better stewards of God’s many blessings. However, when money is tight and the goal is to be frugal, it often seems counter-intuitive to give. But God’s Word and His promise are true; like bedrock, we can build our foundation on them. 

My instinct is to pull back, to close my hands, to focus on myself and my family first. Today I am asking God to show us ways – creative ways – that we can open our hands and be generous with our lives. I encourage you to do the same.