Growing in Generosity: Three Lessons Every Christian Can Learn
John Houston - Chief Executive Officer
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
Genesis 12:2
God wants to bless others through us, and I truly believe every Christian can grow in generosity. God has taken me on a journey, and I’m still learning. But with these three key lessons, He has shown me the transformative power of selflessness, unconditional giving, and understanding His love as a foundation for generosity.
Lesson 1: Generosity Starts with Dying to Ourselves
To truly embrace a generous lifestyle, we must first die to ourselves, allowing our identity to be found in Christ. For years, I struggled with a warped understanding of Jesus because of church legalism and losses in my family. However, through challenging circumstances, I’m continually learning to commit every area of my life to Christ. The climax of this lesson was when I started a business for God's purposes, not my own.
Lesson 2: Giving without Expectations
Generosity means giving, even if I don’t get anything in return. I often look back on my relationship with Rob Hoskins, OneHope Ministries' president. He has been an earthly example of what true generosity is. He helped us develop our giving strategy for years without asking for anything in return. He showed me that true generosity stems from a heart that desires to bless others because God has blessed them. It challenges us to examine our motives for giving and encourages giving with pure intentions.
Lesson 3: Understanding God's Love
I’m continually striving to understand and appreciate God's love in my life. I missed experiencing God's generosity for many years due to a lack of understanding. Through prayer and God’s Word, I realized the importance of building a relationship with God based on love, grace, and mercy. Here, at Christmas, I’m reminded that the gift God gave us when He shared His one and only son with us is the greatest example of generosity the world has ever seen. John 3:16 tells us His gift was because of His great love for us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave…”
As children of God, we are called to live lives of generosity. By learning these three lessons - dying to ourselves, giving without expectations, and understanding God's love - we can become blessings to others. Just as God has generously blessed us, we are invited to bless others through our actions, words, and lives. Let us embrace this call and live a life that reflects His generosity and love.
Remember, God loves you, and He has great plans for you. Embrace His generosity, share it with others, and be a blessing to the world around you.