Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

First person: 6 ways to spark more generosity in your life

  • July 15, 2023
  • Tennessee Baptist and Reflector
  • Church Life, First Person, Latest News, Tennessee
photo of dollar coins and banknotes
(Unsplash photo)

First person: 6 ways to spark more generosity in your life

I must confess that I am a terrible online shopper. I find something that looks like a quality product only to realize later that it wasn’t, or that it didn’t work, or that I should have read more reviews.

I call it “click regret.” It’s that dreadful moment when I realize that the cloak of buyer remorse has fallen over my bank account like a sad blanket. Why did I buy that? What was I thinking? My wife is a lot better than I am at ordering what she needs, so I just try to avoid Amazon all together because, to me it’s just another museum of bad ideas.

Yes, I have regretted many purchases, but one thing I’ve never regretted is the money I gave away.

Scientists are now saying that generosity actually changes your brain, and that generous people are happier people.

Tullos. (Photo courtesy of Baptist and Reflector)

Happiness and generosity

One study states: Happiness has been linked to an activation of the ventral striatum, which has been shown to play a role in the brain’s reward system, giving us that feeling of satisfaction when we perform a pleasant activity.

In layman’s terms, generosity makes us happy. But not only does it bless us to give, it also blesses God. He loves a cheerful giver.

Perhaps the greatest adventure you’ll experience is the journey of generosity.

Here are six ways to increase your generosity quotient:

1. Begin with the tithe. Tithing is God’s way of developing our generosity muscles. In the Old Testament, tithing is a start. It’s our way of saying to God, “I trust you with all of my finances.” As it’s been said, the tithe is the one promise in the Bible where God invites us to test Him. “Prove me,” He says in Malachi 3:10.

2. Transfer ownership of everything you have to God. Look around your house and say to God, “These shoes, clothes, furniture, kitchen items and everything else, it’s all yours, God. Thanks for letting me use them all for Your glory.” Go into your garage, “This car is yours, too (as well as those handy tools and lawn equipment).”

Pull out that laptop and hand that over to Him, along with the TV. It’s really amazing to see what transferring the ownership of everything does. It forces you to think about where you drive God’s car, what you watch on God’s TV, and what sites you visit on God’s laptop.

3. Give anonymously. By doing this, you are paper shredding your ego. It’s always nice to get a little boost of pride from someone if they know you gave, but there is something soul-transforming about the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.

When you give anonymously to a person in need, your gifts are incarnational. In other words, people receive it as if it were given from the Lord Himself.

4. Give sacrificially. It’s easy for a millionaire to give a thousand dollars. That’s not sacrifice. Sacrificial giving is dangerous generosity and it’s the kind of gift that touches the heart of God.

We like comfort, pleasure, entertainment and convenience. But when we give sacrificially, we are placed in the position of saying “no” to our earthly desires to make room for heavenly desires.

5. Practice an eternal mindset. I have to confess that I spend money on things that are temporary. In a year, there will be things that I have purchased that will become outdated, unworkable and surprisingly unfulfilling.

In financial investments, you’ve heard it said, “take the long view.” By that they mean 10, 20, even 30 years down the road.

That’s a great plan for financial independence, but Jesus cares about what our investments in generosity will mean 10,000 years from now. When we give our treasures to advance the gospel of Jesus, we are making an eternal impact.

6. Enjoy the ride. It really is an adventure. When we give, we just have better stories than the folks who hoard riches for themselves. When we give, everything is more enjoyable because we become more like God. He is our example. How much did He give? See John 3:16.

Our Father is inviting us on a shared journey. He’s saying, “Why don’t you give me what you have, and I’ll give you what I have. Let’s do this together.”

In reality, God doesn’t need your blessings, but we sure do need His. Once we see generosity as a partnership and a journey with God, it will make our brief time on earth so much more exciting and transcendent.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Matt Tullos and originally published by Baptist and Reflector.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’
    Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’
    September 29, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook
    IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook
    September 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock
    Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock
    September 28, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Foot washing, serving others in ‘worst neighborhood in America’

Along Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia, it’s typical to see people slumped over, arms dangling and knuckles grazing the concrete. You need to watch your step, and might have to push a hypodermic needle to the side with your shoe.

IMB trustees approve 72 missionaries, celebrate financial outlook

International Mission Board trustees approved the appointment of 72 full-time, fully funded missionaries during their Sept. 27-28 meeting near Richmond, Virginia.

Kentucky church records 120 baptisms at Godstock

The 30th anniversary of Godstock — a weekend evangelistic event of Hillvue Baptist Church — gives evidence to the truth of Ephesians 3 that God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

Sending Celebration highlights unity as IMB missionaries prepare to go

Peter and Tina Kim know that Asians in the growing city of São Paulo, Brazil, are in a unique position. As second, third and fourth generation immigrants, many Asians in São Paulo never quite fit into the culture of those around them.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel