You Don’t Have To Be Rich To Be Generous

Ruth

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

—Proverbs 31:20

If I had a dollar for every time I warned my children to “watch out!” I’d be a rich woman. “Watch out for traffic,” I tell them when crossing the street to get our mail. “Watch out for your little sister!” when the boys are wrestling. “Watch out, turn the channel, this is a bad commercial!” when we are watching TV. And the list goes on. What mom, out of love and concern, doesn’t feel like she is constantly telling her children to be careful?

Jesus was no stranger to telling His disciples to “watch out!” either. On one particular occasion, He said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15). Many sins are easy to see in our hearts or lives. But Jesus said greed is much harder to identify. That’s why we are told to “watch out” for “all kinds of greed.” We don’t always notice its presence or power, but greed can plague anyone. So to fight it, we need to develop generosity.

When Jesus told the story about the poor widow in Luke 21, He praised her, even though she gave little in comparison to the rich. She gave out of her poverty (vv. 1–4). Like the widow, we can be generous, even with very little. How? Because it’s how we give and not just what we give.

What God desires is a generous heart that delights in giving freely and often. After all, this is how God has loved us in Christ. Spiritually we are poor, yet in Christ, we are now rich. God has blessed us in every way. The good news of what God has done for us motivates us to live more generously with others.

Where are you struggling to be generous? Whether it is with your money, your time, or the gifts God has given you, “watch out” that you don’t just use them for yourself!

Jesus, You have been so generous with me. You have not been stingy with Your love. Give me grace to love and serve others in the same way. Guard my heart from being greedy with my time, talent, and treasure. I want to live with an open heart and open hands, blessing those I come in contact with. In Your name I pray, amen.

Where do you struggle most with generosity? Is it with your time, treasure, or talent?

What is one way you can be generous today?