Generosity and Spiritual Growth Part 3: Giving to Those in Need

The other day I was walking out of McDonalds and a man stopped me. He asked for $9.15 for bus fare to get where he needed going. Really…nine dollars and 15 cents.

I told him that almost everyone who asks me for money is just scamming me.

He painstakingly shared all the ways I knew he was not scamming me…something about driving a truck and everything he knew about the truck.

After a few minutes I pulled $10 out of my wallet and gave it to him.

When he saw the money he was amazed and said, “You are going to give me the money?”

Yes I said…got into my car…and drove home.

The reality is since the great American recession, many are still suffering financially. But this also creates a tremendous opportunity. The opportunity for you to experience spiritual growth by giving to those in need.

You might be thinking, “I can’t give to those in need…I don’t have much money myself.”

Maybe it is true you don’t have much money for yourself. Still, the truth is everyone can give something to someone in need.

A great example of the early followers of Jesus giving to those in need is from Acts 2:44-45: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

It is amazing all the early followers of Jesus shared with one another so freely. Some with property sold it and gave to those in need. Some with possessions sold them and gave to those in need.

Amazing! Where do you see that type of generosity today? Almost nowhere.

But Luke describes the results of their generosity. He writes that they:

Ate together with glad and sincere hearts

Praised God and enjoyed the favor of all the people

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

It sounds like a lot of spiritual growth was occurring in and through the early followers of Jesus as a result of their generosity.

You can tap into the power of generosity to create spiritual growth by being generous today to someone who is in need. Maybe you are thinking of someone right now who is in need. Maybe you will meet someone in need this week.

Remember not to miss your opportunity to be generous.