Category: Generosity

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Five Vital Qualities of a Spiritual Leader

Leadership matters, whether it is in the workplace, the home, at school, in government, in sports, nonprofits or churches. It matters, it makes a difference either good or bad. There are many styles of leadership, and many different kinds of leaders. As a Christian, I see leadership from that perspective. I’ve learned from many leaders over the years, but Jesus Christ continues to be the best example I can find.

No leader is perfect like Jesus was. We will fall short of that, but we can get better and become more like him as we grow. Leaders are learners, but the great leaders also put into practice what they are learning. Often times as leaders we make mistakes and fail, and those are the moments, and times that we learn and grow the most.

The Bible emphasizes strong healthy leadership. Jesus, Paul and other disciples of Jesus taught about the right way to lead and the qualities of a strong healthy leader. These five qualities continue to rise to the top for me. These qualities are ones that I believe a strong, healthy spiritual leader should exhibit and embrace.

  1. Love – I started with love because this is the root and motivation for a spiritual leader. To have a deep love for God and other people is our calling. When you lead with love it changes how you approach people, problems and opportunities. Love drives you to serve the people you are leading. To care for them, and listen to them. Love for God helps a leader have a much bigger perspective on life, the world around us, and the people around us. Love for God transforms our hearts and minds, and keeps us centered and focused on the right things. As we grow in love, we grow in leadership.
  2. Integrity – For me integrity encompasses a lot. It’s being a person that walks the talk. To be a leader with integrity means that you are honest and trustworthy. Paul uses the word blameless, and above reproach in the Bible. A leader with integrity is willing to make difficult decisions, and do what is best for the people and organization and not just himself or herself. A person of integrity does what is right and good even when no one is watching. It’s the mindset of working for God and not man.
  3. Humility – This is also vital to be a strong healthy spiritual leader. Humility is having a right view of yourself, understanding your weaknesses and flaws, but also understanding and embracing your strengths and talents. It’s a selflessness kind of attitude, where you are thinking more about other people than yourself. It’s battling against pride, power and control. Humility is always looking for the best ideas and the best ways to do things, not just the way you think it should be done. It’s the ability to quickly admit when you are wrong, and move to make things right when you make a mistake. Leaders with humility have a strong sense of their true identity in Christ, and can lead from that identity with humility.
  4. Generosity – A generous leader wants to bless other people. Being generous with your time, your talent and your treasure. Strong healthy spiritual leaders are not afraid to share their knowledge and skills to help others. They love to see other people thrive and do well, and help those that are struggling to turn things around. It’s an attitude of giving without expecting anything in return. This also means being a good steward of everything God has entrusted to you. It’s the mindset of God being the owner and we are the manager.
  5. Boldness – This last quality might seem a bit unusual for a list like this. I think it’s important to be bold, because Jesus was bold. He was not afraid to speak the truth, but he always did it with love. He was passionate about what he believed, and cared deeply that others heard the truth. Being bold for a cause means a leader is willing to make sacrifices in order to get there. Being bold means the willingness to take risks, get out of your comfort zone and make hard decisions. Boldness comes from a mindset that because of my identity in Christ I can have courage to be bold for Christ.

I hope these qualities are evident in your leadership. I encourage you to rate yourself on all five. Is that a strength or an area to grow? For me I try to think about ways that I can grow in each of these qualities. What can I do to love better, be a man of integrity, stay humble, be more generous and lead with boldness?

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Generosity and Discipleship

As we grow in our relationship with God one of the things that should grow in us, is generosity.

Generosity is a willingness to give, share, or contribute freely without expecting anything in return. It involves acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness directed towards others. 

Generosity goes beyond material possessions and can include giving one’s time, attention, support, or even emotional understanding. 

Being generous is not solely about the quantity or value of what is given but rather about the spirit and intention behind the giving.

The genius of generosity is in the way God created it to work. Acts 20:35 sums it up in this simple but powerful phrase, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

God designed generosity to bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose to both the giver and the recipient. 

However, because God wants us to be generous, He made giving more rewarding than receiving.

The best model of generosity is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who embodied the essence of generosity during His time here on earth. 

His life and teachings provide an extraordinary model of selflessness, compassion, and sacrificial giving. Through His actions and words, Jesus demonstrated the depth of God’s love and the transformative power of true generosity.

How Jesus modeled generosity

  • Compassion for the Needy: Jesus displayed immense compassion for the marginalized and suffering throughout His ministry. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and embraced the outcasts, showing that generosity extends to meeting both physical and spiritual needs. 

Let’s be compassionate to the needy like Jesus

  • Forgiveness and Grace: Jesus exemplified radical generosity by extending forgiveness and grace to those who didn’t deserve it, including sinners and even His own executioners. 

Lets forgive and extend grace like Jesus

  • Sharing Spiritual Truths: Jesus freely shared His wisdom, teachings, and spiritual insights with His disciples and the crowds. His generosity in sharing divine truths continues to bless and guide believers today.

Let’s share the truth of the Gospel like Jesus.

  • Teaching on Giving: Jesus taught about the importance of generosity and selfless giving. He commended the widow who gave her meager offering, emphasizing that true generosity is measured by the heart’s willingness to sacrifice. He also encouraged His disciples to give to those in need without seeking recognition or reward.

Let’s give like Jesus taught us to give.

  • The Gift of Salvation: Jesus’ ultimate act of generosity was offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. By willingly laying down His life on the cross, Jesus provided the greatest gift of all—salvation and eternal life—for anyone who believes in Him.

Let’s live our lives for Jesus and show his love and generosity to others.

Since Jesus is the perfect model, we should be doing what he did. By imitating Jesus’ model of generosity, we can reflect His character and bring His transformative love to a world in need. 

No, we aren’t Jesus, and we’re not always going to get it right all the time, but by aspiring to live generously by His example, we can make a difference in those around us and the world.

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Generosity is …

Generosity is a quality that most people want to be around. It can be inspiring and heart warming to see genuine generosity. However, generosity is a heart issue, it’s what is happening in our heart that causes us to be generous.

Paul wrote most of the New Testament and he talks a good bit about generosity. in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 he unpacks some amazing truths about what generosity is. Take a moment and reflect on these 11 truths and then ask yourself how generous you are? Where do you need to grow?

  1. Generosity is unrelated to income and wealth – You can be generous no matter what your economic status.

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 8:2

2. Generosity is never forced – it’s a choice we make everyday.

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own. 8:3 

3. Generosity cannot be contained! – When we are transformed to see as God sees, and care as God cares, we understand the honor we have in giving. Giving is contagious.

And they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 8:4 

4. Generosity is always focused first toward the Lord – When we give ourselves to the Lord, our hearts turn from selfish to generous.

And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. 8:5 

5. Generosity is tangible evidence of our love for God – It is outward evidence of the inner change happening in us.

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 8:8 

6. Generous people meet needs – God helps us to notice the needs around us and gives us the discernment to know how to best help those in need.

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need . . . “[He] who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” 8:14-15

7. Generosity honors the Lord – It is an act of worship and brings glory to God.

What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 8:19 

8. Real generosity is expressed cheerfully – It’s a joy to give. When we give we are a blessing to others and when we give we are blessed ourselves.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 9:7

9. Generosity is personal between us and God – It’s a personal choice to give, we should always pray about our giving and make plans to give.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 9:7 

10. God provides the gift for the generous to give – God owns it all and supplies it all.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous . . . 9:10–11 

11. Expressed generosity moves others closer to God – Our giving impacts people in ways only God really sees.

So that you can be generous…and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity . . . 9:11–13 

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The Head turning Power of Compassion

“You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”  Matthew 5:14

Jesus says that there is one force in this world that can shed light in a dark world.  That force is the church, which is made up of people. How brightly is your light shining?  Are you involved in activities that will cause someone to say what a Good God there is? Maybe your wattage is dim; does your bulb say 25w or 40w or does it say 150w?

Showing compassion to the world is what we are called to do.  We are not called to judge the world, but to love those in this world, just like Jesus did.  It is so easy to become hard in this world and to rationalize why we should not help those less fortunate.  However, when we show unconditional love to a broken world it gets peoples attention. Maybe it’s going on a short term mission trip or simply finding a way to serve your neighbor or that person that you know that is having a hard time. It can be taking the time to listen to them and then pray with them. Sending an encouraging note or text and being available. Compassion can come in many shapes and forms.

Here are three reasons why we should engage in acts of compassion:

  • When you let your light shine it will change you.

Most people look for happiness in the wrong things.  Looking to things like money, a new home, a new job, getting married or even getting out of a marriage.  Those things don’t bring us happiness. When people focus on others, they are happy, when people focus on themselves, they get depressed.  When you get to the end of your life the best memories will be of when you blessed the lives of others. When you start showing compassion to others, you start to change yourself and your outlook on life.

I recently took a group of people to Buffalo New York to love and serve a poor neighborhood with an organization called Eight Days of Hope. Hundreds of people came together and served people in need. We fixed up homes, but we also listened to the homeowners and prayed with them. We built a connection and a relationship. Trips like that will change your life.

  • You change the world one person at a time.

We all are among the richest people in the world.  Most people in this world don’t have anything. We don’t realize this until we go and see how other people live in other countries or other neighborhoods.  Showing compassion can start right here in our own backyards. When you start looking for people that need help and people that need encouragement, your eyes are opened to a whole new world.  Every day we come into contact with people that need our compassion. When was the last time you did an intentional act of kindness for someone? Who is your one person?

  • It does something to the heart of God – It blesses God.

Think about your own children, if they hurt you hurt.  Think about how much God loves His children and how much He must hurt when his children are struggling and hurting.  Jesus said, “Whatever you did for the least of these you did for me.” Have you turned any heads lately with your light?  

Most people start out with good intentions, but then get busy and preoccupied and forget about all the other people out there.  We forget that the local church is in the people saving and serving business. I believe that the local church is the hope of the world, and that together the church can make a huge impact in our communities and around the world. Let your light shine!

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Be Generous

F81ABBC8-9EB7-2769-67EBF258A0BD8E18It’s the most generous time of the year.  For many people Christmas time is a time to be generous with family, friends and even strangers.  It’s also the end of the year and people are thinking of year end giving.  I want to talk about generosity and what that really means.

As a follower of Jesus one of my desires is to be known as a generous person.  Jesus was very generous with his time, talent and treasure.  He taught many life-changing messages and stories about being generous.  He even gave his life for our sins.

Generosity is demonstrating the nature of God by wisely reinvesting the resources that He has entrusted to us.  There are several key traits that go into making someone generous.  Without these in our lives we cannot be truly generous.

  • Loving – It is not possible to have love without generosity, but it is possible to have generosity without love.  If you have the love of Christ in you, then generosity should flow out of you.  It should be a part of your nature to be generous and look for ways to give and serve others.  1 John 3:17 says “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need, but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
  • Sowing – Generosity follows the law of the harvest.  The more generous we are in sowing, the greater will be our harvest in true riches. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
  • Honoring – Honor means “to place value upon.”  We are instructed in Ephesians 6:12 to honor our parents.  We honor civil authorities by paying taxes and following laws.  When we give to the poor, we honor the Lord and He promises to repay.  Proverbs 19:17 says “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.”  Generosity is not just giving, it is giving abundantly or joyfully.
  • Grace – It is through God’s grace that we are able to give and be generous, and that giving is an expression of the grace we have in Christ Jesus.
  • Stewardship – A steward is one who is entrusted with the assets of the master and is responsible to make wise investments with them.  A wise steward understands that the assets he has under his control do not belong to him and should be returned to the master with increase.  We are stewards of all the people, possessions, abilities and talents that God has blessed us with.

Generosity brings light into a dark world.  It makes people smile and feel good.  Generosity also draws us closer to God because it’s when we are most like Him.  Giving also reminds us that God owns it all and that He is the one that can give us more or take it all away.  Being generous also breaks the bondage of greed and overcomes the love of money.

Here are some simple steps to help you be more generous:

  • Dedicate everything to God – This includes all your money, time, possessions, strength, abilities, and relationships.  Truly acknowledge that God owns it all.  That takes a lot of pressure off of us.
  • Practice living simply – Try to simplify your life.  This could mean selling or giving away some of your stuff.  It might mean giving up some luxury items so that you can live at or below your income.  It may mean saying no to some things in order to say yes to being more generous.
  • Give as God directs – The goal of generosity is to demonstrate the love of God so that others will be drawn to Him.  Start being generous by doing random acts of kindness.  You can also start giving to your local church.  Consider giving a percentage of your income.  Start giving your time by volunteering at your church, in the community or at a non-profit.

So how generous are you?  Do you see God as the provider of all wealth?  Do you see yourself as a steward of God’s resources?  Do you honor God with a generous portion of all His increase in your life?  Are you living as frugally as you can so you have more to invest in God?

Generosity is the result of focusing on God’s riches rather than our resources.  CS Lewis said this “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give.  I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.”

Ask God for opportunities to be generous and see what happens.

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Why should we give and save more?

Most people want to be generous and help those in need.  The reality is most people do not give much.  Most people also understand that’s it’s important to save money.  The reality is most people don’t save much money either.  So what’s the problem?  Part of it may be understanding the world better.  Also part of it is not having a plan.

Pastor Bob Coy of Calvary Chapel in Ft Lauderdale gave this example of putting the people of the world into perspective.  Let’s look at the world as made up of just 100 people:

  • 70 of them don’t know Jesus. 30 do.
  • 30 are white. 70 are some other color.
  • 51 are women, 49 are men.
  • 80 live in substandard housing, meaning they have no electricity, running water, inside plumbing or a roof over their head.
  • 50 are malnourished. Their food is not satisfying, not enough and doesn’t provide proper nutrition.
  • 70 can’t read.
  • 1 is dying as you read this-a little kid under the age of 10. He’s dying because he can’t get enough to eat.
  • 6 have a significant portion of the world’s wealth.
  • 6 live in the United States.
  • What if you’re the dad of the kid who’s dying of malnourishment?  Wouldn’t you be asking one of the 6 wealthy to share a little for your child? Unfortunately, the answer all too often is: there’s other things to do with our money, new things to buy.

Most Americans spend their money this way:

  • 24% on housing
  • 19% on health care
  • 22% on recreation and personal needs
  • 15% for food
  • 17% for transportation
  • Leaving 3% for other such as giving or saving

Most people want to make a difference but are either too far in debt to be generous or have good intentions but don’t plan in advance to be generous or even to save.

Make it a goal to give 10% and save 10% and live on 80%.

So here are some tips on how you can Save more and Give more:

  1. Save second and Give first.  When we give first, then save some we don’t spend money on those unimportant things that we don’t think about.  The fancy coffee, the extra soda, the eating out.
  2. Use an automatic transfer at your bank.  Transfer money out of your checking account into a savings account after every paycheck.  You can also set up automatic giving to your church or non profit either through your bank or through the non profit organization.
  3. Be consistent.  If you save money every other week for a year it adds up quickly, same goes for giving.  If you give consistently every week and not just when you’re in church you end up being more generous.
  4. You might want to have multiple savings accounts you transfer money into.  One should be an emergency account, with 3-6 months worth of expenses, another could be to purchase your next vehicle or other large item and another could be for a down payment on a house.
  5. You might even set up a saving account at a different bank to make it harder to get to and more out of mind.  When you don’t see the money in your checking account or in your wallet you won’t spend it.
  6. When you get a raise or a bonus put that money in savings, give some away or pay off debt.
  7. Pray about saving and giving.  Ask God to give you wisdom with your finances and guidance on how to spend what He has entrusted to you.
  8. When an opportunity to give comes along if you’ve been saving money you can pull from your savings and give and not have to take money out of your budget.
  9. Plan in advance where you want to give each year.  I give to  my church first.  I recommend 10% of your gross income as a target.  Then plan what other non-profits you have a  heart for and what you would like to give to them for the year.  Then plan to use money from savings or budget to give to things that come up that you would like to support like mission trips, pizza fund raisers, families in need etc.
  10. When you payoff debt add that extra money to your savings and give some away.  Or if you are able to save some money on expenses increase you’re giving or your saving.

Being generous feels good and helps make the world a better place.  Saving is a healthy practice and helps you to be more generous.  Start today by choosing a couple of these tips and put them into practice.