Romans 12:7

I do not have the gift to give large sums of money.  That does not give me an excuse to be stingy.  Just because I do not have a lot, does not mean I do not have enough to be generous.  I have received many opportunities to give; not all of them come from the Lord.  If you make the mistake of getting your name on the wrong list, you will get requests for donations from everywhere and everyone.  It is important that Christians be wise enough to know which opportunities do and do not come from God.

Unlike my grandparents and parents, I do not give every time the offering plate goes past me.  I do not carry cash, and technology changes things. I give to support the work of the local church directly from my bank account. Technology however, does not change the heart of the giver.  When we give, we can have many different motives.  We can give out of thanksgiving, or because a project such as Christian education holds a special place in our hearts.  My grandmother always gave extra to world missions.  Some give out of habit and others out of a sense of obligation.  We give the best gifts out of love.

When an opportunity comes from God, we should give generously.  Godly generosity always gives more than is strictly necessary or expected. Because of our financial background and personal history, generosity does not mean the same to all Christians. A friend of mine who died many years ago, gave $1.00 to the work of the church whenever he attended; he thought that was generous.  He sounds like a tightwad, but I knew his personal story.  Growing up in an orphanage, with poverty and neglect had warped his ideas about what was necessary and expected.  When we give to the church, Christ sees and knows our heart.  When in the name of Jesus, we give to others we should be extra generous.  Give a gift that will reveal Christ’s love.