Can I Be Generous With Nothing?
Follows the message The Mission of Generosity from the Rooted series
If money is tight, generosity can sound like something for other people. Can you really be generous when you barely have enough? Yes. Generosity starts with a changed heart, and money can rule your mind whether you have a lot of it or not enough. The way out is the same in both cases: shift your focus from the resource to the Source.
Key takeaways
- You can be generous with very little, because generosity starts with a changed heart.
- Money can rule your mind whether you have plenty or not enough, and the way out is to shift your focus from the resource to the Source.
- God gives to you so it can pass through you to others, and He trusts faithful stewards with more.
- When money is short, you can give time, attention, encouragement, and care, and receiving help with humility is part of generosity too.
Why doesn't generosity come naturally?
Generosity doesn't come naturally because by nature we are takers. Our first instinct is to take care of ourselves and meet our own needs. Generosity runs against that instinct, which is why it takes real transformation. Generosity is holding what God gives you with an open hand, ready to pass it on.
A line from the weekend message at Calvary captured it: I was born a taker, and I'm reborn a giver. Karen Carter, Calvary's Next Steps director, pointed out on Beyond Sunday that the same is true of forgiveness. Culture says hold the grudge and make them pay what they owe. Forgiveness releases someone from a debt they really do owe you. Generosity works the same way. Culture says get yours and keep it. Jesus teaches you to hold what you receive with an open hand, ready to pass it on.
Can money control you even when you don't have much?
Yes. Money is a god in our culture, and it can rule you whether you have plenty or not enough. Either way, your mind is on your money.
If you have a lot, the pull is to hold on and get more. If you don't have enough, the pull is to worry. How will I pay for that meal? That medical bill? Pastor Sean Sloan named the real issue: "My mind is on the resource instead of on my source."
Songs, ads, and even halftime shows keep telling us what our culture values. Most of it is about having more than enough. The spiritual life loosens the grip that money and possessions have on you, so you can see that your Source has no limit. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. The question is not how much you hold. It's what has a hold on you.
What does "if God can get it through you, He'll get it to you" mean?
It means God gives to you so it can pass through you to others. His gifts aren't meant to stop with you. Karen said that phrase changed the way she gives. She doesn't want what God gives her to end with her.
You can't outgive God. Much of what He puts in your hands is meant to be given away, and He watches how His stewards handle it. Are you holding it, or giving it? That is a kingdom that runs upside down from culture. Culture says the more you give, the less you have. In God's kingdom, the more that flows through you, the more He can trust you with.
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Proverbs 22:9
The same chapter opens with a reminder that character matters more than wealth: "A good name is more desirable than great riches" (Proverbs 22:1). People don't speak well of those who live only for themselves. They speak well of people who have been a blessing to them.
How do you change the way you think about money?
You let God's Word renew your mind. Generosity isn't a willpower project. It flows from a transformed way of thinking.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2
Practically, that means lining up your thoughts with Scripture. You take every thought captive to Christ instead of letting your instincts lead. It also means remembering where your own life came from. You were at a deficit you could never make up, and God's generosity gave you everything. You aren't designed to hoard. You're designed to receive from God and share with others. That creates a flow of love in every direction.
How can you be generous when you have very little?
Start by being willing to receive, and give what you do have: time, attention, encouragement, and care. Receiving well is part of generosity too.
For example, Pastor Sean was open about a season when he and his wife couldn't afford everything their young kids needed. They depended on other people for baby formula and diapers. He still remembers the people who gave, and how humbling it was to be on the receiving end. His point: you have to be as content and trusting when you receive as when you give, because God is your provider either way.
The first church shows what this looks like. Filled with the Spirit, they became generous with their time, their talents, and their resources, because they knew their supply came from God.
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
2 Corinthians 9:10
Five ways to practice generosity this week, whatever your budget
- Notice where your mind is on your money. Each time it is, pray: "You are my Source."
- Give one hour of your time to someone who needs help.
- Share a meal, even a simple one, with someone.
- If you need help, accept it with humility and thank God for the people He sends.
- Ask God what He has already put in your hands that is meant to pass through to someone else.
Pray
Father, You are my Source. Loosen the grip money has on my mind, whether I have much or little. Make me a giver, teach me to receive with humility, and let what You give me flow through me to others. Amen.
Common questions
Can I be generous if I don't have much money?
Yes. Generosity starts as a heart that is open to God and to others. You can give time, encouragement, and care, and you can receive help with humility when you need it. Both keep God's love flowing.
What does "if God can get it through you, He'll get it to you" mean?
It means God gives to you so that you can pass it on. When what He gives doesn't stop with you, He can trust you with more.
What does the Bible say about generous people?
Proverbs 22:9 says the generous will themselves be blessed, because they share their food with the poor. The same chapter says a good name is more desirable than great riches.
Is it wrong for a Christian to receive help from others?
No. Receiving can be harder than giving because it takes humility. Trusting God as your provider includes being open to the people He sends to help you.
Your next step
You grow in generosity alongside other people. Calvary's discipleship pathway starts with Growth Track, where you discover your spiritual gifts and where you fit, then continues through Following Jesus, Rooted small groups, and Calvary U. Start your next step today.