January Jenerosity (SP??)
During the month of January, we will be doing everything we can to link the new year to the idea of generosity, even if we have to spell it with a J! A generous spirit does a number of things which we explore in some great depth. First of all, a generous spirit seeks to give of itself to the max. When it comes to life in church, tithing is a minimum or low bar. God actually owns all we have and has given us everything we can claim. A generous spirit asks not, “what to I get to keep?”, but rather, “what am I able to give?” These are two radically different mindsets that might end up at the same amount of money or time, but one is godly and life-giving, while the other is potentially miserly and life sapping. Sure, generosity has some reasonable limits, but for myself and most of us in America, I think we seldom approach those reasonable limits. In Korea, families give all to start a new business. Everyone works full time and the family gets one paycheck. In other nations, like England, the younger generation plans to take care of their elders in a “until death do us part” commitment to love and generosity. In Africa, one might empty their entire pantry on any given day for the survival of the village. We might consider that sacrifice or even foolish. In many places around the world it is simple Christian generosity for the good of the village.
Far beyond money, it is necessary for us to study what a generous spirit looks like in other forms. Our consumerist society is quick to use biting criticism as our first vocal offering, when the Scriptures and the life of Jesus teach us to lovingly encourage one another and “spur one another on to love and good deeds.” Church communities sadly often eat each other up with bitter, critical, biting comments when the people being criticized are doing the best they can and need encouragement….or at least gentle correction. But, our culture has made our voices cold and harsh. So, we will explore how to develop a kindness that is both upbuilding and effective. And, we will learn to say no to our urges to bite heads off in the name of “needing to be right”. M. Scott Peck once wrote a book on the nature of evil. This renowned Christian psychiatrist concluded in his study that from Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the boardrooms and offices and classrooms of 2014, the ESSENCE of EVIL is found in “the need to be right”. Jesus teaches us about generosity that the need to be right takes a backseat to the need to be in right relationship.
Another aspect of generosity is where we give our time and talents. We each have so much to offer so many people! We need to generously let that LOOSE and not hold our gifts and time and talents close to us and those whom we favor. A couple of supportive words and a little time can change a life. Many of you know that I was a wild guy in high school. A Christian teacher committed himself to me and got a job where I worked so that I would have to give him rides and not be able to smoke pot and drink on those many school nights. Dennis had a generous spirit. His acting like he needed rides from me probably got me out of no end of mischief and off to college and a life that I am proud of.
January is the month of Jenerosity. It’s not all about our money…it’s about how we receive and respond to the Spirit of the Living God to his glory and to the renewal of all Creation.
Randy Rowland
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