Leadership: Generous
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38 (ESV)
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 11:34-35 (ESV)
When James said, 'Not many of you should become teachers' (James 3:1), should we also skip becoming wealthy?
'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God' (Matthew 19:24).
Because power and money can change us. We’re tempted to idolize and hoard them.
Generosity opposes hoarding, and they prompt us to different lifestyles:
Generosity is known by big hearts, open arms, and a willingness to share. Generosity invites God’s rewards:
'One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed' (Proverbs 19:17).
Hoarding is known by hardened hearts, closed fists, big banks, and a constant desire for MORE. Hoarding invites God’s vengeance and justice:
'The wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous' (Proverbs 13:22).
In the Old Testament, the Almighty made generosity a commandment:
'If there is among you a poor man of your brethren... You shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly...' (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
In the New Testament, the Son of God revealed the consequences of hoarding:
'There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and... there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate...' (Luke 16:19-21).* When each of them died, they traded places.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Be generous with your priceless talent. Perform in humble places. Share the stage. Give God the glory, and He’ll give you more!
Be generous with your cash and possessions. Tithing is crucial. Hoarding is hateful. Give things away… and God will give you more.
Be generous with your time and good deeds. Prime time goes to God. Helping time comes next. Work time is right, but keep it in 3rd place. If you spend time wisely, God will bless it.
Whatever you give, Got will give you more!
Leadership: Generous (Part 45)
*The Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16%3A19-31&version=NKJV
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!