During the first two months of my sabbatical I have been so blessed by the generosity of God's people. We have stayed in the most gorgeous of places -- beautiful lakes and majestic mountains. The homes that have opened up to us have been tenderly cared for, creatively furnished, and generously offered to us a homes away from home.
I sort of feel some of what Jesus felt. He hung out around lakes and on mountains. The homes he stayed in were not his own. One of the oft neglected aspects of Jesus' ministry was how generous people opened their homes to him and provided the funding for sustenance and ministry. God's work and generous people go hand in hand.
All this got me to do some thinking about generosity so here are a few worth blogging:
1) Generous people are such a blessing to others. We have been overwhelmed at how generous people have been such a blessing to us. There has got to be some kind of boomerang effect that brings added blessing back to them for being such a blessing. Generous people bless and are blessed!
2) The people who have been so generous to us are people who have been blessed with much. But I don't think generosity has much to do with how much stuff you have. I have known people who didn't have a whole lot and who were very generous with their little. I have also known people who had a lot but who were not very generous with their much. I suspect the generous people with much were generous with their little -- when they only had a little. People who wait until they are rich to be generous are never generous even when they are rich!
3) I once heard a wealthy businessman talk about the responsibility he felt for being generous. The verse that motivated him was: To whom much has been given -- much will be required! The people who have opened their homes to me have arguably been given much. Their generosity reflects the heart of their generous Heavenly Father and their commitment to be good stewards of His blessings.
4) I think generous people are happy people. In every case, the people who have helped us have found such joy in helping us. The fact that we have enjoyed ourselves only adds to their joy. It's a pretty cool deal!
5) Thank God for generous friends and may someone think of each of us with fondness as being their generous friend!
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Blair, Luke Whitmire here. Dwight has been doing a phenomenal job at keeping the congregation fed and encouraged. It will be wonderful to see you when you get back. Even I don't think you've lost a step, I keep thinking of that old pastor you spoke of, the one that said something like "you should have seen me when I was good". I am confident you will return rested and... "good"!!! :) Today is the first time I've had a chance to check this blog, but it has already greatly encouraged me! I'm currently soaking in the beautiful vista of my front yard and even that does wonders for my soul. We miss and love you, brother!! Luke
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