Generosity Is Not Measured By The Amount Given

By Gloria Garner

August 2008

Are you sometimes reluctant to give to special causes because your gift may be small in comparison to what others might give—or because you cannot give as much as you’d like?

The word “generosity” often brings to mind monetary gifts of substantial proportion. Large endowments make headlines, and wealthy benefactors are rewarded with having medical facilities, sports arenas, public buildings and freeways named in their honor. We sometimes mistakenly think those with great financial means can only experience generosity. That’s just not true.

In I Corinthians 8, Paul uses the Macedonian churches as an example of generosity for the Corinthian Christians. He points out the generosity of the Macedonians, which overflowed despite their great poverty, and credits it to them first giving themselves to the Lord.

What is interesting about this passage is verse 7, where Paul commends the Corinthians for their faith, their proclamation of the gospel, their knowledge and earnestness, and their love. And he instructs them to abound in the gracious work of generosity as well. In chapter 9 verse 8, Paul further assures them that God’s grace is sufficient for their abounding in generosity. If we ask, God will prompt us in the matter of giving.

Remember the account of Jesus teaching his disciples about generous giving in Mark 12:41-43? Watching the wealthy put large amounts into the temple treasury, Jesus’ attention was directed toward a poor widow who put in two small coins. He called His disciples to His side for a very important lesson. He declared her gift the largest of all because it was everything she had for her livelihood. God measures our gifts, not by what we give, but by what we have left.

The Kelly Shelton Leadership Fund and the Yvonne Keefer Touch Tomorrow Today Fund are just two of the many opportunities for giving through KNCSB WMU. Both these funds help to provide monies for spreading the gospel throughout Kansas, Nebraska and the world.

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