Having a Generous Heart

In his book, The Royal Route to Heaven, Dr. Alan Redpath cites this story; “A certain Christian once said to a friend, ‘Our church costs too much. They are always asking for money.’ His friend replied in this fashion; ‘Some time ago a little boy was born in our home. He cost a lot of money from the very beginning: he had a big appetite, he needed clothes, medicine, toys and even a puppy. Then he went to school, and that cost a lot more; later he went to college, then he began dating, and that cost a small fortune! But in his senior year at college he died, and since the funeral he hasn’t cost us a penny. Now which situation do you think we would rather have?’ After a significant pause the friend continued, ‘As long as this church lives it will cost. When it dies for want of support it won’t cost us anything. A living church has the most vital message for all the world today, therefore I’m going to give and pray with everything I have to keep our church alive.” 

I am truly blessed to Pastor a church that gives generously, cheerfully and gladly. Never do I have to cajole or arm-twist them into giving for the sake of God’s kingdom and the gospel. 

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary founder of the China Inland Mission, went to China aged twenty-two. His mission society was ultimately responsible for bringing more than 800 missionaries to China. They began 125 schools, directly resulted in in some 18,000 Christian converts, as well as more than 300 stations of work with more than 500 national helpers in all 18 provinces of China. Taylor said, “Depend on it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply. He is too wise a God to frustrate His purpose for lack of funds, and He can just as easily supply them ahead of time as afterwards, and He much prefers doing so.”

Of course, the Church will always have its critics. Sometimes the criticism is deserved. But it is my observation that most are trying to do the best they can, often with limited resources. The reality is, that if more people in more churches were more generous, then more could be accomplished for God’s Kingdom. But that ideal also applies to individual churches also. If more churches would give more to missions and evangelism then more would be accomplished around the world for Christ. 

Isn’t it a shame that there are people in the world who have heard of Coca Cola, but have never heard of Christ! So, let us when it comes to finances in God’s Kingdom, not be begrudgers or short changers. Have a spirit of generosity. You will never out give God anyway. He will see to it that your needs will be met above measure.  

J. Oswald Sanders – “The basic question is not how much of OUR money we should give to God, but much of GOD’S money we should keep for ourselves.”

- Pastor David Goudy