Let’s Practice Being Generous
In today’s Spiritually Stronger episode on That Sounds Fun, we unpacked generosity with my friend, Jon Acuff. Jon is always equal parts hilarious, honest, and incredibly helpful. We talked about what generosity practically looks like, how it changes us, and ways to be generous with more than just our money. Jon brings so much wisdom and practical perspective to this conversation. Listen here!
Looking for our free practice guide on generosity? Keep reading and you’ll find it at the bottom to download!
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. Proverbs 11:24
There’s something about generosity that wakes us up to the goodness of God.
And I don’t just mean the big, dramatic kind of generosity. Not the “sell everything you own and move across the world” kind (though if that’s your week… WOW OKAY GO WITH GOD 😂). I mean the everyday kind. The kind that looks like noticing someone. Sharing what you have. Offering your time. Using your gifts on purpose.
I think generosity is one of the clearest ways we remind ourselves: we have enough because God is enough.
Sometimes we think generosity only counts if it costs a lot of money. But generosity can look like so many different things.
And honestly? The world feels a little sharp right now. Hurried. Disconnected. Angry. Which means your generosity this week may matter more than you realize.
. . . . .
Today, I’m simply going to make a list. I think lists are very helpful and very pretty to read, and my hope is that this list will just be a start—if you’d be willing, like you were last week GOOD GRAVY THE COMMENTS WERE SO HELPFUL—will you drop in some ways in the comments today that you have seen others be generous or have found ways to be generous yourself?
(Yes, please know in this group of friends all chasing the same goal of being spiritually stronger that it is A OK to tell us you have a generosity practice that we might really enjoy hearing about! It is NOT bragging… unless you start your comment with, “Not to brag, but…” because that person usually is bragging.)
Generous practices you can do today:
Compliment 5 people today, particularly pick a few you don’t know that are just at the same gas station, grocery store, or restaurant.
Put a $20 bill in your pocket and ask the Lord and pay attention. Who should you give it to just as a gift?
Pay for the person’s food or drink behind you in the drive thru.
Make some large ziploc bags to keep in your car for your neighbors who are asking for help. Include: a pair of socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a small pack of tissues, a granola bar, a small bottle of water, and a meat stick. Then as you see them with their signs on the side of the road or outside a store, you have a bag you can hand them!
Pay for someone else’s manicure in the salon as you walk up to pay for yours.
Call one person in your family each day this week. Not a text, an actual CALL. THE GENEROSITY LOL
Send a text or email to someone who works for your church, thanking them for what they do.
DM one celebrity you follow and thank them for their work, expecting nothing in return. (We can only imagine how many DMs they get that are NOT generous.)
Generous with your time, money, words, wisdom. That’s who we get to be today, what we get to practice. Generosity always makes us spiritually stronger.
So here’s your invitation:
Besides that list up there (and the one you guys are building in the comments), we also created a free Practice Guide to help you actually do it. It’s just simple prompts, and ideas for you to consider. Download it, use it with a friend, take it to a small group, or keep it on your kitchen counter all week long. Invite your kids to do this with you! We also have an episode about generosity out today over on Annie’s miniBFF Podcast!
And maybe the beautiful surprise is this: generosity rarely leaves only the other person changed. It usually changes us too.
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR WEEK:
Monday: What does generosity mean to you, and how can it show up in ways beyond giving money?
Tuesday: How has someone else’s generosity impacted you?
Wednesday: What keeps you from being generous with your time?
Thursday: What role does gratitude play in becoming a more generous person?
Friday: Where have you seen God’s generosity on display lately?
Resources:
Procrastination Proof by Jon Acuff
jonacuff.com/annie - Quiz that can help you figure out which procrastinator you are!
The Genius of Generosity by Chip Ingram
Spiritually Stronger Together
Tell us in the comments: In what ways have you seen others be generous or have you found ways to be generous yourself?
The Lord showed me several years ago that I was holding on too tightly to a number in my bank account and that security in that number was causing me to be self-sufficient rather than trusting in His faithfulness. When He shows me that I am leaning on that number rather than Him I listen for an amount and a person and give some away. It is amazing how quickly my grip loosens on that security when I am obedient and hand it over. It wasn’t an easy lesson the first time and isn’t always easy to obey now but it is always fruitful and always points me back to His faithfulness.
I find that sometimes it's most important to be generous when I feel least equipped. One time when I felt especially broke, I had a prompting to give money to someone I knew could use it. I felt that God was telling me that she needed money and I needed faith. I'm still here and all my bills are paid, so I guess God had enough for both of us ;)