There is something about a generous heart that affects others in a good way. To be generous is a fruit of the spirit that reflected people’s faith as the early church began to grow. Selfishly hanging on to material possessions can chain us to temporal things. When the Lord moves us to give what we have to others, the Lord frees us from those chains. Perhaps you have experienced someone’s generosity, and that made a significant impact on your life.
Often, someone’s generosity has long-term effects when we don’t expect or deserve it. God moved believers in the early church to give. Their generosity helped others and allowed them to share the Good News of Jesus.
Acts 4:32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. [1]
Generosity Reflects Our Faith
Hebrews 13:16And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. [2] When the Lord moves on my heart to give, it reflects the condition of my heart. As God’s children, He calls us to reflect His heart of generosity to others. God’s Holy Word teaches us that everything we have is His gift. Contemplating this truth changes our perspective on possessions and the importance of being good stewards.
I remember reading a story of a prisoner in Andersonville prison during the Civil War. He observed that when prisoners refused to share what food they had when they came to camp, it was a sign that they would not live long. There was something about sharing even the meager food they had with others that had long-term effects. Sometimes, we think generosity must be something noteworthy, but it is often sharing the small things in life that make a difference. In addition, being generous with our time makes a difference in the lives of others but is hard to quantify.
Generosity Creates a Ripple Effect
When others are generous with us, the ripple effect inspires us to do the same. The challenge of giving of our time, talent, and treasure challenges our natural inclinations in a world that promotes selfishness. Yet, when we follow the model of Christ and are generous, we will receive one of the greatest blessings.
When those in the early church gave to those in need, they had no idea how they would be blessed. The good news is that God does not change; He is the same today. As we bless others, God blesses us spiritually. To learn how a generous heart affects others, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/ananias-sapphira
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.