When I was a kid, I got $10/month in allowance. I remember so clearly when I was 8, sitting in the 4th row of a service where the preacher was talking about missions in Africa, and I felt that God wanted me to give $12/month to the church for this missionary family. I remember excitedly telling an adult what I felt God had told me to give just after the service, and I also remember their response like it was yesterday…20 years later. They said, “You can’t do that though. How about $1/month? You don’t need to be THAT generous. That’s so sweet, but that’s not going to be easy for you to do, Michelle. You wouldn’t have any money all year to spend on yourself.” What’s funny is that I DID realize that, and didn’t CARE, because I WANTED to give my money to these missionaries that lived in a poor community with thousands of hurting and lost people. That one comment taught me that the, “I need this for me” mindset was acceptable after all, and it’s taken years to undo. Is it even possible to be too generous? I think there is a fine line of generosity and irresponsibility, but I think that 100% of the time, if God calls you to do it, it’s correct. End of story.

All these years, I’ve been fighting and trying so hard to undo that one comment. When you’re a kid, it comes so easily to share with others, because you don’t worry about what you do and don’t have. You just share it. Mom and dad buy your essentials, so all that you’re left with, really, is…toys or gifts. That’s it. What did I really need to buy all those years ago?

I wonder how God might have multiplied by heart and my money had I chosen to give $12/month like he asked me to. Today, more than ever, I try and notice what’s around me, the needs of friends and neighbors, and when God tells me, I always like to be generous, whether it seems like a lot or a little, it’s all God’s, and will steward it well. Even if it doesn’t seem like there is enough to go around, God knows, and he will never ask you to do more than  you are able, or that he hasn’t already equipped you to do. After all, do you remember the loaves and the fishes story in the Bible?  There wasn’t enough to go around…but oh how there was!

17“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. 18“Bring them here,” he said. 19Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

Matthew 14:17-21

Over time, I have seen time and time again, that when God tells you to give, it will always be enough. And it always returns to you times seven! But I’ll leave that for another day.

-Michelle