Generosity Practice Week 1
There Is More Joy in Giving Than Receiving
Few of Jesusā teachings are more radical, counterintuitive, and disorienting to our cultural assumptions than what Jesus has to say about money and generosity. We hear constantly the Western formula of āmore money = more happiness.ā But Jesus boldly claims that happiness is found not in the accumulation of wealth, but in a deeply relational life of giving and love.
Below you will find steps to help you engage with this practice over the next four weeks, as well as resources for further exploration.
Ways to engage with the Generosity Practice
First and foremost, this practice (and all practices) are meant to be done in community. If you haven't yet, find a small group of people that are commited to walking through this practice together.
Download the Generosity Practice Guide. If you can, it is advised to print it out to reduce the distraction of our devices.
Gather with your group once a week to watch the Practicing the Way video found below. This will include questions for discussion, as well as a short teaching on that week's practice.
Step into each practice as much as you are able and feel comfortable to. This invitation is for everyone at all stages of life and faith.
Reflect on your experience of the practice using the reflection questions at the bottom of the guide and be prepared to share them the next time you gather with your group.
Recommended Reading
Giving Is the Good Life by Randy Alcorn (Chapters 1-4)
Rule of Life Podcast
Generosity Practice Guide
Download the practice guide here
Week 1 Practice - A spontaneous act of generosity
Set aside a specific amount of money. It can be a little or a lot, whatever you decide. But before you name an amount, pause and open your heart to God and see if a number comes to mind.
Take cash out of an ATM to carry with you, or earmark the amount in your debit account to have ready when the right opportunity comes.
Ask God to give you an opportunity to bless someone.
Then, just keep your eyes open.
We're not trying to solve global poverty or be heroic in this practice, but to tap into the outflow of the Trinity's generous love to all.
Here are some ideas to spark your imagination.
Buy someone in line behind you coffee or lunch.
Anonymously pay for someoneās meal.
Drop off groceries or a gift to someone you know in need or in a time of suffering.
Send cash digitally to help a friend with medical bills or expenses they canāt currently pay.
Buy a gift for someone to encourage or bless them.
Week 1 Reflection Questions
Before your next time together with the group for Week 2, take five minutes to journal out your answers to the following three questions about the practice:
Where did you experience resistance?
Where did I feel joy?
In what ways did you encounter God?
