People with money think differently. Most of us think about how we afford to put the kids through college and pay medical bills. People with money think about how to have a financial impact that outlives them while blessing family, church, and the world. What they long to do is to practice Uncommon Generosity.
While many of us practice Common Generosity, God calls us to Uncommon Generosity. Paul tells us in 2 Cor 8:2 what this is. “During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” Uncommon Generosity.
I have a friend that has been blessed with money. In fact, he has more than he needs and because of this, he thinks differently than I do about money.
Several years ago, we met up at a little Italian restaurant that is well known in the area where we grew up. We ate and laughed and reminisced with our elbows on the familiar red checkered tablecloths. When it came time for our visit to end the waitress asked how we wanted the check. It was not an expensive restaurant and I wanted to bless my friend, so I spoke up saying, ‘just one and I’ll take it’.
There was a kind of awkward silence until the bill arrived. He was looking down at the napkin laying on the table. As I was reaching for my wallet, he spoke softly almost sounding a bit embarrassed. I heard him say something I will never forget, “You can use the money God has given you in limited amounts to pay for this meal or you can allow me to pay for it out of the abundance he has given me.” I must have looked at him strangely because he went on. “I am right now in fact, trying to figure out how to give all my money away before I die.”
I gave him the check. He said, “Thank you” and so did I.
I wish I knew then what Uncommon Generosity could look like. I would have told him. He would have wanted to know.
If you are interested in practicing Uncommon Generosity the Baptist Foundation of Indiana can help. We can help you earmark your resources to provide a yearly scholarship for a pastor to attend Seminary. Or money could be set aside to support Indiana-grown missionaries and more. In fact, the options as to what you could fund are limited only by your goals and your resources.
Here are a couple of real-life examples; an Association in Indiana has a fund that they draw, just the interest from, to help support the salary of their Associational Coordinator. Another Association has a fund where they use the interest to offer yearly ministry grants to their churches. With any of the above scenarios your money finances eternal purposes out of your Uncommon Generosity.
Let’s talk. This is my cell 812/592-3755