Generosity

    This week I attended the General Membership Luncheon put on by the Chamber of Commerce, it included a dessert auction for the United Way of the Tanana Valley Annual Giving Campaign.  It’s a fun event that happens each year.  People donate remarkably, delicious desserts and the crowd bids on them.  Some cakes went for over $1,000!  I’m told $11,025 was raised for the campaign.  That money goes to the United Way and their partner agencies (i.e. American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, The Literacy Council, and Big Brothers Big Sisters to name a few). It is a remarkable display of the generosity of this community. 
      Generosity is a beautiful, open-handed way to live.  Those of us who are Christians are called to it.  God’s generosity is on display at the heart of the gospel.  In John 3:16 the apostle states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  The cross of Christ is the ultimate act of generosity, Jesus gave his life for our sins.  Fundamentally God is a giver.  He has given us life, gender, marriage, purpose and the gospel---salvation itself.  Our character should look like His.  We are to be as generous as possible.  Some of our generosity is innate (watch children), but it still has to be learned and developed (watch children four minutes later after an act of generosity).   This makes perfect sense because we are made in God’s image, the positive side and yet we are born broken and sinful because of the sin of Adam and Eve.  Selflessness AND selfishness are part of our packaging. 
      We must intentionally grow in generosity.  In the Christian context most of us begin with the practice of tithing.  Tithing is simply acknowledging that everything comes from God and is owned by God, we are merely stewards entrusted to use our resources for God’s glory.  We do this by giving the first 10% of our income to God’s kingdom (usually our local church).  Tithing is like the training wheels of generosity.  It teaches us consistency and faithfulness.  Then we are called to move forward and give away more to churches, charities, non-profits and hurting individuals. 
      Of course, generosity is more than money, it is a willingness to share our time and talents as well.  At Journey Church where I serve, we have about 20 volunteers that work at  our large food pantry ministry EVERY Thursday night at 6 p.m.  These dedicated volunteers set up a mini grocery store in our lobby and then the crowd of people move through the line and pick out what they need to feed their families.  This food pantry ministry happens because of our generous volunteers and our generous community.  Like other churches and organizations around town, most of the food we give away comes from our local Fairbanks Community Food Bank.  As a matter of fact, this year Journey passed the MILLION POUND MARK for food given away since this ministry started years ago. 
       I serve on the board of Fairbanks Community Food Bank and I am always amazed that our simple, yet crazy business strategy has worked for decades—we receive free food and give it away free to those who need it.  I doubt that Harvard’s business school would approve of that plan, but it works and will continue to do so because of the generosity of this community. 
      Generosity really is the best way to live.  Wherever you are on your generosity journey I encourage you to take the next step.  Whether that be to start tithing to your church, volunteering some time to a charity or non-profit or even taking a child into your home as a foster parent.   There are many faces of generosity, but it’s all driven by a heart to help and make a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors and community.  Please take that next step.
Pastor Derek Dickinson          
Journey Christian Church