The smallest act of love can ignite the greatest fire of hope; never underestimate the impact of your generosity.
Over the past couple of weeks, we have been diving deep into generosity and service, exploring what it means to have a generous heart and be generous with our words. As we continue, it’s essential to recognize the needs around us, especially in places like the small unreached communities around Tixtla de Guerrero, Mexico. The people in these communities need our help to experience the love and message of Jesus Christ. Awareness of these needs allows us to truly embrace the call to give generously, both in spirit and in action. This week, we are taking the next step, focusing on generosity in action and inviting you to join us in making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.
James 2:14–18 says, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
Fulfilling Our Calling: Serving Others as Christians
Our words are important but fall short when not paired with action. James reminds us that we cannot stop at just having a generous heart or proclaiming our intentions to be generous. Our efforts must demonstrate our faith.
When we serve others, we fulfill one of our most extraordinary callings as Christians. We answer the call to become the hands and feet of Jesus, actively reaching out to those in need and sharing the gospel with them. Our missions ministry to the small unreached communities around Tixtla de Guerrero, Mexico, exemplifies this active approach to living out the essence of the gospel. By giving our time, resources, and energy, we are living out the heart of the gospel.
It’s important to remember that generosity in action often comes at a cost. This cost is time, energy, or even personal sacrifice for some. However, it is a cost worthy of our payment. Think about those who have been generous with their time and actions, ultimately leading you to a relationship with God. We must actively become that same supportive arm for those who need our efforts, just as we once needed the actions of others in our lives.
As Paul wrote in Romans 10:14–15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”
The Beauty of Giving in Action: The Woman with the Alabaster Jar
The story of the woman with the alabaster jar of precious perfume demonstrates the beauty of giving in action. Her gift was an act of devotion to Jesus, even when others questioned its practicality. “Observe specially that her good work was a good work upon the Lord Jesus. It was of no immediate benefit to anybody else, nor was it meant to be. ‘This ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.’ So Judas and the other disciples said. The five hundred pence which it would have produced might have been spent in bread, and so have fed many poor people; but she expended it on Jesus, and meant that it should all be used in his honour, and that only. Poor or no poor, she thought only of him” Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “Something Done for Jesu.”Like her, we must be willing to give generously of our time and resources, serving God and others in whatever way we can.
Living Out the Gospel: Being Generous in Action
We must remember that generosity in action is the natural fruit of our faith. Let us be generous not only in word and spirit but also in action, making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most. As we serve those around us, especially in our missions ministry to the small unreached communities in Tixtla de Guerrero, Mexico, we live out the gospel and fulfill our calling as Christians.
We rise by lifting others; let your generosity be the wings that elevate the lives of those around you.
