The Art of Decision Making: Generosity
Break free from the culture that demands more and more, and instead, embrace the message of Jesus. Uncover the joy that comes from strategic generosity.
Part 5: Generosity
One undeniable thread stands out about effective decision-making: the concept of deliberate generosity. However, we’re not talking about the fleeting, emotionally-driven giving that leaves one with fewer resources. Instead, we’re looking at intentional generosity, a practice distinguishing those who excel in decision-making. Today, we will discover the keys to being deliberately generous. In a world often consumed by impulsive acts of charity, we’ll explore the secrets to a life marked by purposeful and impactful giving.
The University of Southern California reports that people see roughly 5,000 daily ads. There are 5.3 trillion display ads shown online every year. On average, children see 20,000 thirty-second commercials each year.1
Daily, we are surrounded by messages telling us we need more things to be happy. The idea is that having the latest iPhone, the coolest shoes, a fancy purse, or stylish leggings is the key to a good life. It's like a constant reminder that we might be missing out. But guess what? There's a different story to explore. It's about discovering true happiness, not just about getting more stuff.
In this noisy world where everyone says, "It's more blessed to get," a unique message from Jesus stands out. He says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35b). This means that we become happier, more joyful, and fulfilled when we share. It's a special kind of blessing! You already know the joy of giving; deep down, you want to give even more. But sometimes, it might feel hard. How do we become really generous, going beyond what seems logical? It starts with something powerful—when you break free from what’s holding you back.
In this series, we’re learning that the quality of our decisions determines the quality of our lives. You can choose to be a person who pre-decides to succeed. You can be ready, consistent, devoted, generous, faithful, and a finisher.
Decide to Be Irrationally Generous
You might say that in our society, generosity is irrational. Why would people give away their resources to help others when we’re all just trying to survive, raise kids, and plan for retirement? The answer is it’s not rational. In fact, you could also call it irrational generosity because we’re taking from our resources to help others.
I don’t know about you, but when I was a teenager, I dreamed of being a millionaire at age 18. Back then, we hadn’t talked about billionaires yet, so that was the ceiling everyone aspired to reach financially. I remember planning how I would live in the future and what kind of irrational generosity I would practice.
As I grew, I learned that making money and making good decisions with money was harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t know anyone who could mentor me to raise the roof on my income, so I put the idea of being generous on the shelf. I thought that when I had more, I could be more generous. But the problem with that thinking was that I was waiting to be generous, not practicing it.
Generosity isn’t about what you have or don’t have. It’s about your heart.
Poor people can be stingy, and poor people can be generous. Rich people can be stingy, and rich people can be generous. We all should learn to be generous now. If you’re not generous now, you won’t be later.
Jesus told a parable in Luke 12 about a rich man with a big harvest. What would you do if you didn’t have room to contain all the increase?
Luke 12:18–19 (ESV): And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’
If we choose to be generous now, we can give like we’ve never given. The rich man did what he’d always done. The reality is that more money doesn’t make you more generous. You become more of what you are, and in many cases, the issues a person has before are often compounded by an increase in time or money. If you want to be generous when you have more, learn to be generous when you have less.
But Pastor Chris, you don’t understand. I’m barely able to pay my bills. What can I do to be generous?
I’ve had many financial ups and downs, and there’s always been a way to help someone. If you don’t know what you can do to help, ask God for inspiration, look around to see what resources are available and be there for someone struggling.
Here are some ways to be generous regardless of your financial situation:
Offer Your Time and Skills: Whether helping them with household chores, offering to babysit, or assisting with tasks they find challenging, your time and abilities can make a significant impact.
Create a Supportive Network: Connect the person facing financial struggles with local community resources, charities, or organizations that provide assistance. Your effort in researching and connecting them with the right resources can be a valuable lifeline.
Share Knowledge and Resources: Provide information on budgeting, financial planning, and cost-saving strategies. Sharing your knowledge on managing expenses, finding affordable options, and accessing community services can empower them to navigate their financial challenges more effectively.
Prepare Homemade Meals or Groceries: Extend a helping hand by preparing homemade meals or assembling a grocery package with essential items. Nutritious food can significantly relieve someone facing financial difficulties, and your thoughtful gesture can positively impact their well-being.
Offer Emotional Support: Sometimes, a compassionate ear and a kind heart can be as valuable as financial assistance. Be there for them emotionally, offering a listening ear, encouragement, and understanding. Your emotional support can improve their mental and emotional well-being during tough times.
What makes a generous person?
1. Generous people plan to be generous
I used to think generosity meant randomly blessing people—giving a few dollars to someone on the street, buying groceries for a stranger, or covering the cost of a car behind me at the drive-thru. It seemed like a good way to be generous, but I've realized that this kind of giving, often in response to immediate needs, is more like a reaction than a thoughtful act of generosity.
This is how many people usually give—they see a need, hear a sad story, or come across heart-wrenching pictures in a fundraiser (like those sad dogs in cages). They're motivated or guilted into giving a spontaneous gift. However, that's not true generosity. Real generosity goes beyond a reaction; it's not just about giving when you see a need. Generous people don't need to be guilted or inspired externally. They operate from a place of intentionality, where giving is not reactive but part of a plan. Truly generous individuals are prompted by a deeper desire to make a positive impact, and they have a thoughtful plan in place to channel their generosity in a way that brings lasting and meaningful change.
Isaiah 32:8 (ESV): “But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.”
Isn't it funny how most of us are quick to plan when consuming? We eagerly research, hunt for deals, clip coupons, and diligently save to make that next purchase, often swiping our cards without a second thought. But when it comes to generosity, the plan takes a different form. Generosity isn't about planning to consume but planning to give.
Truly generous individuals strategically and prayerfully design their lives around generosity.
It's not a spontaneous or emotional act. Instead, it's intentional and purposeful. Even if you don't consider yourself a planner, especially in financial matters, you likely have some form of a financial plan, whether it's good or not, and whether it's written or not. If spending exceeds what you make, it creates a lack of margin, leading to increased worry. However, the issue might not just be a money problem; it could be a spiritual one, revealing a struggle to trust in things rather than God.
Breaking free from the cycle of consumer-driven planning, generous individuals prioritize putting God first in their lives. This aligns with a biblical principle known as the tithe—seeking the kingdom of God first. Generosity becomes a transformative force as it challenges the conventional planning mindset, emphasizing a spiritual approach that redirects focus from consumption to a higher purpose.
By incorporating this principle, generous people break free from financial worries, finding fulfillment in prioritizing God and fostering a lifestyle built on the foundational values of faith and generosity.
Malachi 3:10 (ESV): Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
The prospect of rearranging one's life around God might seem like a lot, prompting skepticism about its feasibility. However, it's a challenge worth considering. God extends an invitation to test Him, assuring that He will provide. This isn't about adhering to a Prosperity Gospel; it's rooted in the profound concept that generosity is an expression of God's love, and in giving, we become more blessed. This transformative cycle shifts the focus from spending more, leading to lack and worry, to a practice of giving that invokes God's blessings, fostering a foundation of faith.
In intentional planning, it's not about giving God what's left over; it's about offering Him our first and best, trusting Him to bless the rest. This deliberate approach, pre-deciding, begins with the tithe—a predetermined portion given to God. It's a planned decision that grows beyond the tithe, evolving systematically and intentionally. Consider allocating $50 a month, adding an additional 1%, or dedicating a portion of your tax return or profit. These intentional steps build a habit of giving beyond accidental generosity, fostering a journey where each planned act becomes a stepping stone toward a life infused with purposeful and impactful giving.
2. Generous people always “round up”
Whenever I’m at a restaurant, I aim to tip well. This means that I practice the art of rounding up. When the service is not friendly, the old man in me wants to gripe about a missed drink refill or having to wait a long time for our food. I must remember that many things are at play behind the scenes, and even though I place a high value on fairness, leaving a generous tip is how I practice irrational generosity.
Proverbs 21:26 (ESV): All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
There was a man left beaten and hours away from death. A good Samaritan stopped to help him. He bandaged his wounds and took him to a hotel. This is what he said to the innkeeper:
Luke 10:35 (ESV): And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’
There was another man (a tax collector) who, after spending time with Jesus, decided to practice irrational generosity.
Luke 19:8 (ESV): And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
In life, we often encounter situations where someone needs our shirt, and in response, we choose to give them our jacket as well—going above and beyond the expected. This principle, exemplified by Jesus, goes beyond just rounding up the bill at a restaurant or making a meal for a friend.
The path to helping others through giving lies in never letting generosity be accidental. Generous individuals stand firm in their commitment, avoiding excuses and waiting for the perfect moment. The call is to plan for generosity, consistently rounding up in different aspects of life, embodying what you do and who you are—an individual committed to a life marked by intentional and impactful generosity.