The Joy of Giving
How my poverty increased my generosity
I was raised in a home of meager means.
My grandfather was a preacher, my dad was a preacher, and my dad married the daughter of a preacher. To say our family did not come from money is an understatement! And yet, I had no idea how poor we were compared to my friends.
I felt spoiled on birthdays when Mom asked me what kind of cake I wanted her to bake or what special meal I wanted her to prepare. At Christmas, we turned in our wish lists, and I was happy even if I only received one or two of the items on my list. Most of my friends received everything on their lists, but I never felt like I had anything less.
A Generous Lifestyle
Even though we were financially poor, my parents made sure we understood the basic principles of generosity by modeling a generous lifestyle. Mom and Dad always wrote their weekly check to the church before anything else. They also found creative ways to give beyond their means to support church projects, missions, or anyone else in need. My parents made joyful sacrifices, often working extra hours, taking on side jobs, or cutting expenses just so they could give more.
Witnessing this, I learned firsthand what Jesus meant when he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
This legacy of giving has shaped my life and filled it with blessings. It has also fostered in me a love for giving. Here are a few reasons why.
It helps others- Every dollar makes a difference, whether it supports a person or a community in need. Proverbs 11:24-25 reminds us, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer… Whoever brings blessing will be enriched.”
It brings joy- Giving lifts my spirit and connects me to something greater than myself. In 2 Cor. 9:7 Paul writs, “God loves a cheerful giver” and I’ve experienced this joy in my own life.
It spreads awareness- Giving to a cause informs others. When we give, we’re telling people what matters to us. Our giving speaks, even when we don’t.
It inspires people- People are encouraged by examples of generosity. As they see us giving freely, they often feel moved to participate.
It sustains vital work- My donations stabilize and expand programs that do essential work for the Kingdom.
It encourages the hearts of the leaders- Supporting those who lead is a way of investing in the future of the work.
Stories of Generosity
I eventually headed off to college and wouldn’t you know, I ended up marrying… a preacher of meager means! I had already cultivated a life of generosity and gratitude and experienced first hand God’s blessing on our life.
A few weeks ago, after a sermon series on generosity, my adult daughter called me to ask how our faithfulness in tithing had impacted us personally. Examples quickly popped into my head.
There were the times people brought us groceries and special treats. There was the time my husband’s boss drove six hours to give us the keys to his Volvo because he knew we needed a reliable car. There was the time when our growing family was gifted a larger van and the time we put in a bid on a condo, at half the asking price, and somehow won! There were also the times we received checks from my childhood church, sent to encourage us in ministry or to wish us a Merry Christmas.
God is faithful. God is generous. God is good! These blessings are not the reason we give but rather a reflection of God’s goodness.
Generosity has blessed us in ways that go beyond finances; it has helped us become more like our Lord and Savior. Our prayer is that each day we reflect His giving heart to the world.
Why I Give to Mobilize the Church
At Mobilize the Church, we believe that there is no greater mission than mobilizing the body of Christ to live out their calling. We partner with network leaders and pastors to train and equip disciple makers, pioneering leaders, and church planters.
Every donation we receive empowers a new generation of church planters, pioneers, and disciple makers equipped to bring the gospel to communities in need.
In essence, to mobilize is “to make something capable of movement.” Our Mobilization Pipeline is a step-by-step process to help individuals in every stage of faith journey into leadership:
Stage 1 - Identify disciples: The journey begins with believers who hunger for Jesus and are willing to follow Him.
Stage 2 - Disciples to disciple makers: We encourage these disciples to grow by sharing the gospel.
Stage 3 - Disciple makers to pioneer leaders: We help disciple makers discern their unique calling to reach new communities.
Stage 4 - Pioneer leaders to church planters: These pioneers then become the heart of new church communities.
Stage 5 - Church planters to sending pastors: Church planters mature into leaders who send others out, continuing the cycle.
Through your gifts, we’ve been able to offer training, resources, and mentorship to hundreds, if not thousands of people. A gift to Mobilize the Church means that disciples are identified, leaders are nurtured, and the gospel reaches even farther.
Will You Partner With Us?
Today, I invite you to experience the joy of giving.
Your generosity could mean new life for someone hearing the gospel for the first time, or encouragement for a pastor stepping into a challenging ministry or church plant. Whether you feel led to give a one-time gift, commit to a monthly gift, or increase your existing support, every dollar has a purpose, and every act of giving is a partnership in the mission.
As you consider a gift, remember the words of Proverbs 11:25 “Whoever brings blessings will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
May your giving be blessed, multiplied, and filled with joy, for it is the heart of God to bless those who bless others. Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, let’s continue to spread the joy of giving and the impact of the gospel.
CLICK HERE to give to Mobilize the Church
Shari Nash is the Development Director of Mobilize the Church. You can reach her at snash@mobilizethechurch.com or by calling (214) 458-3891.