"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
- Luke 6:38
As Thanksgiving approaches, I've been reflecting on my giving practices. I inherited an amazing treasury of generosity from my parents who are some of the most generous people I have ever met. They practice the truth of this passage in the Gospel of Luke.
Unfortunately, I didn't learn to practice this amazing gift until after I got married. I was a fairly stingy person actually. My wife changed everything! She started throwing our money at every opportunity that came our direction and at first I was angry. Later, as I continued to watch her joy in giving and the way that God always took care of us as well as gave back to us, in far more ways than just money; I started to experience the joy of giving. Thank the Lord for my parents and my wife!
A few years ago, our tax preparer, who was from a Mormon background was stunned by our annual giving. He said, 'You guys even outgive Mormons who are often the most generous people.' What a joy to be able to witness to him that day!
Silk and I have prioritized our giving. Over the last several years, we try to tithe to our church (10% of our income) and give priority to those causes we feel most passionately about. When we learned about A3 seven years ago, we thought 'This is one of the best kept secrets in mission today!' Why? Because of the strategic difference A3 is making. So, our second giving priority is to the ministry of A3 (roughly 5% of our annual income). We clearly believe in what God is doing through our church and through A2!
Beyond these, we give to all sorts of people and causes but at much smaller levels. My wife still loves to throw money at all sorts of things and I keep learning! God is so good and the joy we have in giving cannot be surpassed.
We are truly blessed!
Giving is indeed our worship.
How do you express your giving? Do you experience the truth in this passage—'Give and it will be given to you'?
Joe Handley
@jwhandley |
