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During spring break of my senior year of high school, I went on a mission with Renewal Ministries to serve the people living in the massive garbage dumps outside Mexico City. The trip was life-changing, and I especially remember one young boy’s simple act of generosity.
The kids had just finished exuberantly smashing a piñata, candy lay strewn about in the dust and grime, and eager little hands grappled over each piece. I watched Jose (10 years old), my new soccer buddy and friend, scoop sweets into his shirt. I expected him to run off and eat them as fast as possible, but instead, without pausing or considering, he ran up to me and offered his stash to me! I quickly declined, assuming he hardly ever had opportunities like this and he should enjoy the candy, but as soon as I declined, he didn’t start eating, but instead ran off away from the crowd. I called out and asked him where he was going. He paused, smiled at me and said, “I’m going to give these to my little sister!”
Too often we reduce the virtue of generosity to financial giving. While our outlook on money and tithing absolutely falls under the banner of generosity, this limited understanding potentially misses the richness of what the Spirit wants to do in us through cultivating a spirit of generosity. To give as God gives includes our time, talent, treasure and, ultimately, our very selves. To be generous is to be selfless, willing to do whatever love demands in each circumstance. In Acts, chapter 3, Peter and John have no money to offer the lame beggar but, instead of moving on, they offer the Gospel, which leads to his miraculous healing.
Freely the love of God has been poured out on us, so freely we should be looking to share that life-saving love with others. Second Corinthians, chapter 9, instructs us that God is never outdone in generosity, which assures us that we will never regret cultivating a generously loving heart and disposition toward others.
As we allow the Holy Spirit to be more fully released in our hearts, we realize how everything we have is a gift from God and how his gifts grow as we share them. Invite the Holy Spirit to show you opportunities to give generously. Ask yourself: What does it look like for me to be generous with my schedule, skills, experience, practical resources, friendships and even some dusty piñata candy?
Pete Burak is the director of i.d.9:16, the young adult outreach of Renewal Ministries. He has a master’s degree in theology and is a frequent speaker on evangelization and discipleship.