I heard someone say this today, “Generosity makes you a better person.” What do you think about this comment? True? If true, how does generosity make us better? I’m conflicted about this comment because I  have a very strong aversion to legalism. Following rules for self-improvement has never worked for me.
Generosity doesn’t make us better people just because we follow some moral code. But what if generosity makes us better because it makes us more like God? At the core of God’s character we find generosity. “For God so loved the world that He GAVE…” (See John 3:16)!

God made us in His image, so we are made to be givers. Not takers. Not hoarders. Not pennypinchers.  Givers. I don’t know about you, but I want to reflect the image of God. Be more God-like. And so, I want
to be more generous. By God’s grace, I’ve never given less than 10% of my income, and often I give more. And I still want to grow.

Growth in giving is not a legalistic desire to earn more from God. This growth is a joyous response to the God who has blessed my life beyond imagination. This growth is a spiritual issue.

I hope to grow more in the next few weeks as I listen for God’s calling to give to our Grow the Good Capital Campaign.

• How about you? Interested in growing spiritually by growing in generosity? Consider a few Bible passages as you prayerfully consider your next steps.
• The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)
• Jesus considered money to be the primary competitor to following God. (Matthew 6:24)
• Money is a thermometer that reveals the spiritual temperature of our hearts and a thermostat that determines the spiritual temperature of our hearts. (Matthew 6:21)
• Generous giving is intentional, voluntary, and cheerful. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
• When we have true riches in Jesus, we are able to give freely because we know what our real treasure is! (2 Corinthians 8:6)

Generosity grows the good in us and all around us. I am excited to see what God grows!

Pastor Kent