Posted by May Ng • Jan 17, 2023

I confess that I had difficulty being generous before I accepted Christ.  I took pride in working hard at my job, and generosity was not part of my nature – being stingy was!

After knowing Christ, the Holy Spirit convicted me that it is God Who gives me the power to make wealth.  Whatever I have comes from the Lord and that apart from Him, I can do nothing.

God has provided me with His nature when I became His child.  God’s nature is about giving, and giving liberally at that!  He gives with no strings attached. 

God has always been generous with me – even the ability to make money, and blessing me above and beyond what I can ask or think.  As an act of thankfulness and faith in Him that He is always watching over me, I should be generous as a response.  A generous giver recognises that God owns everything.   I should not cling to my possessions – be it with time, talent or treasure – because I do not truly own them anyway.

Over the years, I have also learnt to listen to what God puts in my heart to give, believing that He provides sufficiency in all things for every good work.  Walking past a neighbourhood mobile phone accessories store earlier this week, I thought of a friend who lamented that she had difficulty finding a replacement mobile phone cover.  God led me to a particular design that I think she may like, and I promptly purchased it for her as a surprise. It was very affordable, and she was very delighted with the little gift.  The very next day, another friend gifted me with a beautiful mobile phone cover under a very well-known brand which I have been desiring for some time.  I am in awe at how God works!  God orchestrates everything behind-the-scenes!

Acknowledging that everything belongs to God is also motivation for me to give.  Many times over, the peace of God washes over me, like a calming balm, after I have put in my tithes and offerings.  The experience of God’s peace is unlike any other, knowing that one puts God first and honours Him with one’s first fruits.

This weekend’s sermon is a reminder that when I give, I should imitate God.  There should be no ‘what’s in it for me’, and it’s not a question of ‘if’ I should give – it’s a question of ‘when’! I am also reminded that when I give, I must be intentional about it, and not simply go through the motions.  Ultimately, God sees the heart – the Almighty God has all resources at His disposal – if I am unwilling to be obedient to be used by God, God will simply use someone else.

It is my prayer that we all excel in generosity.  While it might be difficult to part with resources that we think we own, nothing provides more comfort than knowing we are walking in accordance to God’s heartbeat when we give generously within His wider plans and purposes.