Generous living is a reflection of God's heart
The Heart Behind Giving
God doesn’t ask us to give because He needs something from us—He asks because He wants something for us.
We know from the creation account that He created all things and causes them to multiply. We "hear" it over and over again in Gods' Word; that He created and is in control of the multiplication. That He does all of this with delight for His creation, and a desire for His chosen likeness- us. That He is just in the giving and the taking away.
Psalm 104:14-15 says, "He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-- bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. " (Take note all that He meant for good that Satan adulterated and can be taken with gluttony.) Verse 27 goes on, "These all look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You give it to them, they gather it up, when you open Your hand they are satisfied with good things." In the same way that He gives, He can hold back: Verse 29 "When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust."
His Word conveys His desire to bless with good things, and His justice in administering blessings. We must only come in alignment with Him, fearing the Lord and obeying His precepts. He is compassionate towards us, quick to forgive and redeem. The things of the world are the "penny candy" that we can enjoy while on our mission to further the Kingdom, not store up for the deception that in them we would find satisfaction.
Read Psalm 103, and praise the Lord for who He is, from the beginning of creation, and all He has done in Your life.
Psalm 103:2-5 Forget not all His benefits: forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, redemption, love and compassion, and satisfying your desires with good things. Verse 8, He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. His desire is for you and He wants you to long for His presence- to be in such relationship with Him that you trust to "pass on" what He gives you. Your eyes must be fixed on Him to see that what He gives is with overflow. Even! Even when the checks stop coming... as many are experiencing during a furlough, we know that He is the provider.
Generosity frees us from fear that the world controls our destiny, and reminds us that we are stewards, not owners. Everything we have belongs to Him, our Faithful Father, and as faithful stewards we must use it all in ways that reflect His heart.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7
"Give generously to him (who owes you a debt) and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed towards your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy15:11)
When we give cheerfully, even in small ways, we tell God, “I trust You to refill what I pour out.”
Generosity Is a Form of Worship
Every act of generosity—whether it’s financial, emotional, or practical—is worship.
When you give your time to listen to a child’s heart, when you share a meal, when you sow into your church or a neighbor’s need—you’re declaring, “God, You are my Provider, not my possessions.”
Generosity realigns your heart with Heaven. It keeps your focus on God’s abundance, not your own limitation.
It also teaches your children what faith looks like in real life. When they see you giving, serving, and trusting God with what you have, they learn that joy doesn’t come from having more—it comes from giving more.
Small Seeds, Eternal Fruit
Don’t underestimate the power of small, consistent giving. I would venture to say God measures generosity by obedience, not amount. Consistency creates a strong giving muscle, and when you're called to give, even giving what you have on hand, that may seem like little, is obedience.
Think of the widow in Mark 12:41–44 who gave two small coins. Jesus called her gift greater than all the others—not because of its size, but because of her surrender.
In the same way, every time you give—whether it’s your last dollar, a meal, or your time—you’re sowing eternal seed.
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” — 2 Corinthians 9:6
God doesn’t forget even the smallest seed of faith.
Practical Ways to Practice Living Generously
Give time: Babysit for another foster or adoptive family. Offer a ride. Share your experience.
Share resources: Pass along clothing, books, or toys your kids have outgrown.
Serve together: As a family, volunteer at your church or a local outreach.
Practice gratitude: A thankful heart is the foundation of generosity.
Pray for others: Prayer is one of the most powerful gifts you can give—and it costs nothing.
When your family makes generosity a lifestyle, you’re not just shaping habits—you’re shaping hearts that reflect God’s.
Faith in Action
Living generously when it’s tight declares:
“God, we believe You will fill what we pour out.”
That’s not reckless—it’s relational. It’s believing that your Father keeps His promises, that every act of faith invites His favor, and that you’ll never run out of what you give away in His name.
Generosity doesn’t deplete you—it multiplies you.
Reflection & Prayer
Reflection Questions:
What holds you back from giving when things feel tight?
What small act of generosity could your family do this week together?
How has God used someone else’s generosity to bless your family?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for being the Giver of every good thing. Help us to live with open hands and open hearts, even when our resources feel limited. Teach us to trust that You refill what we release. Let our generosity point others to Your faithfulness, and let our family become a vessel of blessing for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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