3 ways to think about generosity

Uncross those arms! Open up those hands!

Sep 12, 2024

bird flying above water under white sky during daytime photo — Photo by Richard Lee on Unsplash

I married an engineer, which means I married someone who is endlessly dialed into seemingly small details.

At some point during the last few years, Carson started noticing the story that body language can tell—namely, the bad attitude that’s often represented by crossed arms.

I’ll be honest. The first few times he pointed it out, I think I resented it. Let me be in a bad mood! Don’t make me uncross my arms!

Why was I so stubborn about it? Probably because I immediately felt my mood lighten a bit (and then got slightly embarrassed) once I uncrossed my arms and reflected on how I was acting.

Now, it’s become a bit of a joke in our household. With one sentence, we’ve figured out how to lighten tension and inject a little levity into moments that might otherwise become stressful: “Whatcha got those arms crossed for?”

It works, because body language matters. There are times that I don’t even realize I’m experiencing some emotion—stress, or frustration, or anxiety—until I notice that my arms are crossed tight, or my jaw is clenched.

I think this goes both ways, though. Body language can be an indicator of a deeper truth that we may not even be fully conscious of; a spiritual discipline is an outward action that makes our minds aware of a spiritual truth.

In that way, spiritual disciplines are kinesthetic reminders of who God is and who we are in relation to him.

Knowledge is great. I think that pursuing a deeper, fuller understanding of the character of God is one of the best things you can dedicate your life to. (It’s the goal I’ve dedicated this Substack to.)

That knowledge is incomplete, though, if it doesn’t somehow impact the way I live my life. That’s where the disciplines come in.

I can repeat scripture that says “God loves a cheerful giver”1 and “it is better to give than to receive”2 but they’re really just words unless I’ve actually attempted to put it into practice.

Why is that? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the concept of embodiment. Scripture tells us that “God is spirit”3, but when he created humans “in his image” he gave us bodies, made out of the very same stuff he used to make the earth and everything in it.

Likewise, when Christ came, he was God “incarnate,” “embodied,” “in the flesh” (much to the chagrin of generations of Gnostics—sorry!!).

Jesus’ humanity didn’t make him any less God. In fact, it worked the other way around—since he came as a human, he was able through his atoning death to redeem not only each individual sinner, but humanity itself. “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.”4

So, if there’s something important about being embodied—something so important that it was included in God’s plan for the redemption of humanity—then I think it follows that there’s something important to the things we do with our bodies.

That’s why the disciplines themselves are important; they’re full-body reminders of the truths they represent, while helping you grow closer with God in the process.

What is generosity?

At its simplest, generosity can be defined as a willingness to give in abundance. It’s most often associated with finances, but I think the spirit can also be applied to giving one’s time or services where money isn’t a factor.

Here are three ways to think about the discipline of generosity:

1. Generosity is about recognizing God as Provider

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:25-26

This is one of my favorite sections of the Sermon on the Mount. I love birdwatching through my office window, and I think of these verses every time I see a house finch gathering material to make a nest, or a robin foraging my front garden for food.

I also think it provides a welcome reminder of how God provides for us. The kinds of worries Jesus describes here are common. How will we make sure our basic needs are met?

Jesus doesn’t say, “Figure it out for yourself! I guess you’re on your own!!” Instead, he provides perspective. First, as important as food and clothing are, even they are not the essence of life; right relationship with God is. And second, God is willing, able, and practiced in meeting these needs and more for all the creation that he sustains, including you.

The secondary benefit to this realization is the immense humility that comes alongside the realization that all that I have is a gratuitous gift from God.

Yes, I work to earn money and budget, plan, and save to meet certain financial goals. But none of that is possible without God’s generosity to me. My job, my income, the talents that I’ve been able to make into a career; all of these things are gifts from God.

So, remembering that God is my true provider and that all the resources I have—financial and otherwise—come directly by his grace and provision allows me to be open-handed with them.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21

No, Jesus isn’t telling you not to worry about investing in retirement. But he is saying that those kinds of investments are far less important than the spiritual decisions you face every moment.

“You cannot serve both God and money,” he says later, in verse 24. The human heart was not designed to split allegiances in this way. You will have to choose one; even if it’s not a conscious decision, the other choices you make will belie the master you serve.

The longer you spend in service to God, the less important earthly treasures will become—and the easier it will be to act generously.

3. Generosity is a tool

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Corinthians 9:10-15

In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul has to address maybe one of the most awkward topics of all—he’s got to collect money from the church at Corinth. But he’s pretty confident that his letter will be received well. The first several verses of the chapter let us know that the members of the church have already willingly promised to give; Paul just has to sort out the logistics of collecting the cash.

But why? In the earliest days of Christianity, as now, missionaries relied on fellow believers to support their missions to fulfill the Great Commission.

And it’s not just direct evangelism that relies on generosity. The local church, for one, can’t survive without the support of its members. Likewise, rescue missions, food banks, crisis pregnancy centers, rehab facilities, education foundations—those organizations that are being the hands and feet of Christ in your community—are always in need of funding.

Is there a need in your community? Is there an organization whose mission you want to support? Practice generosity by partnering with them, and know that you are impacting the world with the love of Christ when you do so.