Extravagant Giving

Extravagant Giving

The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the universe, and He won’t let you outgive Him. Go ahead and try.

Randy Alcorn

I love to surprise you with jaw-dropping blessings. What have I provided that takes your breath away? A newborn baby. A sunset. Snow-capped mountains. Ocean waves splashing on the sand. A big answer to prayer. Extravagant kindness. Likewise, I want you to be a lavish gift giver. Be overgenerous. Offer to do something that can’t be repaid. Be creative. Your gift might be monetary, or it might be a gift of time or a service rendered that meets a need.

Remember the words of the apostle Paul to Timothy, the young man he mentored. Timothy was to tell people who had resources “to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous” (1 Timothy 6:18, MSG). Why? “If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19). I know there are times when you feel too depleted to think of what you can do for others—but that is the very time I want you to give extravagantly. The joy that bounces back will bring healing to your heart and soul.

Just then [Jesus] looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”

Luke 21:1-4, MSG