I’m a fan of private generosity. Scripture does call us to it, after all (Matthew 6:2). But I’m also a fan of spurring other Christians on toward love and good deeds. Scripture calls us to that too (Hebrews 10:24).
Third, I’m a fan of leaders leading by example. As a pastor, I shouldn’t call others in our Renovation Community family to do things I wouldn’t do. If I’m calling others to live generously, I should be leading the way. So I’ll share about a recent family decision towards Generosity.
On November 21 I wrote about big family expenses we had in October. I’d begun praying for an extra $550 in unrequested gifts and income. By October 31, God DID supply $450 of that prayer request. But I didn’t pray for an extra $450 for October’s expenses. I prayed for $550. And even 21 days into November, I expected God to honor my request— He was $100 short.
But the afternoon of November 21, He sent $150 in the mail explicitly stated as an October gift. That suddenly made God $50 OVER what I requested. So I talked to Kelly about giving that $50 to a fellow pastor friend in the UK, given that Inflation has hit even harder there than the U.S. [I know several pastors in the UK, so don’t try to guess who it is. 😉]
By the way, here’s one more thing I’m a fan of…
reminding YOU that your normal, everyday acts of faithfulness to God may inspire others more than you’ll ever know.
As a pastor, I’m a disorganized mess. [Seriously. Someone called me on it last night and offered to coach me on organizational leadership. Praise God!🙌🏻] I’m not a great speaker and don’t know how to grow a church. But I DO know how to trust a God who’s never once failed me. And I can strive my very best to faithfully follow Him.
Perhaps you can relate. Maybe you feel like you’re not as talented as those around you. Honestly, that feeling may be accurate. 🤷🏼♂️
Grow. Learn. Improve. But don’t try being someone God never expected you to be.
God wants to turn your normal, everyday acts of faithfulness into “salt and light” to change the world.
And occasionally, may you receive messages like this one explaining your “saltiness” is working, spurring another towards love and good deeds. ❤️
