As we begin to think about stewardship, we each consider our own time, talents
and treasures to see how God is calling us as individuals to use them. As you
listen for direction from God, I pray that you will commit to the Seven Marks of
Discipleship. Over the past nine months in The Cross, we have highlighted each
Mark with examples of how different church family members experience them.
The focus of this issue is Live Generously. This mark is all-encompassing. Living
is what we humans do naturally, but to live generously is to be characterized by
a noble or forbearing spirit; liberality in giving; and marked by abundance. What
does a noble or forebearing spirit mean, I ask. Noble - possessing very high or
excellent qualities. Forebearing - to do without or to endure.
The apostle Paul tells us to think on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy - to think on these things. Thinking on these things
produces actions that would be generous living. By living generously, we are
being who we have become in Jesus. If studying, praying, testifying, serving,
gathering and worshiping are constants in our life, we are living generously
whether we realize it or not.
So, what does Living Generously look like?
It’s all about putting Christ above all else in your life. It’s all about letting Him
take over. It’s all about trust. In my life, I have learned that when I do what He
says, then I don’t need to be anxious about living. When I give of myself, I
realize blessings that I never imagined. When I give of my resources, I never
have to worry about money. When I seek His will, I find the desires of my
heart. When I gather with my St. Andrew’s family, I find home. This is what
living generously is to me. It’s more what He does in my life than what I do.
I see many examples of our church family living generously. I was told of a
couple who keeps a separate bank account for use when there is a call from
the church about a special need. I see women and men lovingly caring for
their spouses as they grow older and become ill. I see grown children being
parents to their parents. I see folks taking up the slack when others need
transportation or meals. I hear of phone calls to home-bound folks just to
say hello. I see prayer shawls lovingly knitted and given to those who are
suffering. I hear voices lifting up folks they barely know in prayer. This is
what Jesus meant when he told us to love our neighbors as ourself.
This is living generously. Living the way He would live.
If you are having a hard time trying to figure out how you can live generously,
my suggestion would be to surrender your life to Christ. He’s the one who
knew you in your mother’s womb. He knows your talents. He gave you your
gifts. He has a plan. Our job is to yield. To study His word, to pray, to serve,
to gather and to worship. Doing all these while looking first to Him - we can’t
help but live generously!
