Living and Giving Generously

A large glass jar marked ‘Children’s Offering’ sits in each of the four churches of Shared Lutheran Ministry. During worship, children are invited to bring their offering to add it to the jar. It’s a noisy endeavor. I delight in hearing the little feet rush down the aisle, then listening to the satisfying ‘clink’as coins ricochet to the bottom of the glass jar. That is, if the coin can be freed from the sticky hands of the toddler that bears it.

Last Sunday, one of our kiddos joyfully showed his neighbors the Ziploc bag of coins he had collected. He eagerly anticipated placing his coins in the jar. Though when the time arrived, he had a change of heart. He walked hesitantly up to the Children’s Offering jar then dug through his little bag to find one shiny quarter. He added that to the jar and walked away. Before he could make it safely back to his seat, his mom made some intense ‘mom eyecontact’ and he turned back around to empty the rest of the coins into the jar.

I feel the same way at times. While I know generosity is a marker of spiritual health, sometimes the money seems to stick to my hand, or I pick out one shiny quarter and give a fraction of what I initially intended. In these moments, I need a little refresher about God’s invitation to live and give generously.

Living and giving generously has the capacity to change a person from the inside out. When we believe that God provides abundantly, we hold lightly to our earthly possessions. The Bible teaches us to give the first fruits (first earnings ) back to God. This humble act of giving reminds us that everything is a gift from God, not to be squandered, but to be shared. We give God the first and best of what we have, not the leftovers. The Bible also teaches us to tithe. Tithing is the sacrificial act of giving 10% of our earnings away. This is a spiritual practice that helps faith grow. When we tithe, we simplify our own needs so the needs of others might be fulfilled.

We give generously in response to God’s abundance, not to earn God’s favor, but to show our gratitude. Those generous gifts help extend the Gospel through the church and provide for those with unmet needs in our community. Those generous gifts transform our habits and our hearts to be more like Jesus.

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full— pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap (Luke 3:28.)