4 Actions to Create a Generosity Plan
In my last few posts related to Bible Studies for Life, we have been looking at being productive. This unit, Productive, was written by my son, Nick, and me. In it, we hope to address the subject of Christians and work. That includes how we handle the fruit of our labors.
Last week, I wrote about generosity. Specifically, I noted how money can be used to meet needs and included this warning, “Certainly there is nothing wrong with budgeting, especially when it helps us be better managers of all God has entrusted to us. But, if budgeting only serves as a more efficient means accumulating possessions we might need a spirit check.”
I think most Christians really want to be generous. Few followers of Jesus want to be known for their stinginess. One problem we face is the lack of intentionality in giving. Too often, giving is an afterthought – as if we don’t consider it until the mortgage, water, power, gas, car, groceries and kids’ activities have all been paid. Today, I want to give a brief, but I hope helpful, action plan that points toward a lifestyle of generosity. It is focused on saving some here and there to have more to give later.
1. Cut back on the number of times you eat out.
According to this recent article in Forbes, Americans spend more than $900 each year eating out for lunch. That does not include other meals we eat in restaurants solely for convenience. If we ate out at lunch half as much as we do, that would potentially free hundreds of dollars a year to give to God’s work.
2. Order smaller meals when you do eat out.
Almost no American needs to supersize a meal. Order the regular portion and save the difference to give later. Some full-service restaurants include so much food on the order, it’s almost impossible to eat it all. Consider sharing a meal and give the cost savings later to a person in need.
3. Sell things you no longer need.
Have you ever noticed the longer you live, the more stuff you seem to collect? Remember that boat/car/collectible you could not pass up? How many times have you thought recently, “I should go ahead and sell that?” Perhaps you should. The money tied up in that asset might fund a child (or children) for summer camp, send someone on a mission trip, increase a building fund, or feed many hungry families.
4. Designate a portion of your income as a Generosity Fund.
One thing that hinders us is thinking we do not have enough money to make a difference in someone’s life. Frankly, if seventy cents is the difference between regular fries and supersized, that will not go far. But what if we set aside all of our small savings for a big opportunity to give? What if we ate out ½ the times of the average American and saved $350 between January and November, saved another $100 by ordering smaller portions, then sold an item or items throughout the year, totaling $550? When December came around, we could have as much as $1,000 to fulfill a purpose in God’s kingdom.
Maybe this is one way in which we see 2 Corinthians 9:8 fulfilled in our own lives: “And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work” (HCSB).
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
When Leadership Rises
As I look out the window in our family room this afternoon with snow covering the ground and the Super Bowl as my backdrop, I want to talk about, “When Leadership Rises.”
I love to talk and write about leadership. Today is no different.
When Leadership Rises, Teams Play at a Championship Level
The 2014 Super Bowl exudes outstanding leadership. Both coaches, John Fox and Pete Carroll, are phenomenal, proven leaders. Both quarterbacks, Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson, are true leaders of men. The offense of the Denver Broncos and the defense of the Seattle Seahawks are both leaders in the National Football League. Whether it be the powerful defensive back, Richard Sherman of the Seahawks, or the phenomenal running back, Knowshon Moreno of the Broncos, leadership is all over this game.
In your family, business, church, or community, when leadership rises, your team will play at a championship level. Learn leadership. Grow in leadership. Rise up and lead. Lead your team to play at a championship level.
When Leadership Rises, Others Are Inspired
On Saturday night, I watched The National Football League Honors program. This program on the Fox Network served as a major feel-good, inspirational program. From honoring things like the play of the year, coach of the year, offensive and defensive players of the year, and formally introducing the 2014 Class of the NFL Hall of Fame, these leaders inspired all of us. These two hours were full of entertainment, laughter, and tears. We call that inspiration.
In your family, business, church, or community, when leadership rises, others are inspired. Others are inspired to achieve more than they could achieve on their own. Others are inspired to rise up and climb mountains they would have never climbed on their own. Therefore, let your leadership rise up and inspire others to greatness.
When Leadership Rises, Memories Are Made
However the 2014 Super Bowl ends, memories will be made. In fact, each game that led to these two teams meeting in the Super Bowl is marked by memorable moments. Radical football fans like myself remember plays that catapulted both teams to this global stage called the Super Bowl.
The evening will be etched into our memories by plays and outcomes. In fact, even $4 million, 30-second television advertisements will be remembered. Why? Because when leadership rises, memories are made.
In your family, business, church, or community, when leadership rises, memories are made. In our family, pictures mark our memories. In business, great reports can mark our memories. In church, changed lives and great stories etch God’s work into our memories. In our communities, parks, museums, and ball fields are marks of memories.
It is important to remember that memories are made when leadership rises. Last Thursday, we had the distinct honor to host the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. General James F. Amos, America’s #1 Marine, exuded leadership. His personal aura, his love for all people, and his distinct leadership brought honor to his fellow Marines and to our great nation. Without question, Thursday, January 30, will go down as one of the greatest leadership moments of my life.
Finally…
Rise up and lead. When you do…
- Teams will play at championship level
- Others are inspired
- Memories are made
Whether you are a dad, a leader in the workplace, a pastor of a church…rise up and lead. When you do, everyone around you will be influenced positively.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.