Giving generously does not have anything to do with the actual dollar amount you give; it has everything to do with what that dollar amount is in proportion to your income. When you give over and above the minimum requirement, quickly and cheerfully, you are a generous giver, no matter where the decimal point falls.

Mark tells us an interesting story in his Gospel. One day, Jesus decided to go to the temple to watch as people dropped their money into the offering box. Contrary to our common thinking, he wasn’t too impressed with the rich people who put in the large gifts. Let’s look at how the story unfolds:

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

Whether you can best relate to the poor widow or to the likes of Bill Gates, you are called to be a generous giver right now, in your current circumstances. As you take that step up to the final rung, you will step into a life blessed beyond your wildest imagination. A world you never knew existed will be fully within your reach. Remember, you were created to give. Doing so is the air that allows you to soar.

–Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Henson

The above excerpt is from pgs. 90-93 of The Generosity Ladder: Your Next Step to Financial Peace.

Help your people find financial peace with my best-selling book, The Generosity Ladder. Imagine a life in which you don’t struggle to make ends meet each month–a life with no debt, a healthy savings account, and solid plans for retirement. Imagine being able to help people in need and give to causes much bigger than your own concerns. This is how God wants everyone to live. And it is attainable. With the help of this practical and insightful book, your people will uncover their true level of financial health and discover a step-by-step plan to save, spend, and invest money in a responsible, godly way. Click here for more information on ordering in bulk for your church.

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.