Wouldn't I Be More Generous Than That?
Robert Kennedy famously (or infamously!) chose to never carry cash. Rather, he had a reputation of relying on his friends and entourage to fork over the dough when needs arose. Biographer Evan Thomas records that on one such occasion, Kennedy found himself at a church service with no money to put in the plate. He looked to his friend to put something in on his behalf. The friend reportedly place a single dollar into the plate, to which Kennedy chided, "Don’t you think I’d be more generous than that?”
This begs the question, if your neighbor were going to "give" on your behalf, how generous would they be? You might "think" yourself a generous soul, but do your actions match your own self-image?
Just a word of caustion — Don't be more generous in theory than in practice.
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered" (Proverbs 11:24-25, ESV).
"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV).
Wedding Guest Asked To "Adjust" Gift
Toby Meyjes, writing for Metro, reports on a wedding guest who revealed she was contacted by newlyweds to say her gift wasn’t generous enough.
The unnamed guest posted to a forum on Mumsnet asking for advice after she was told the £100 cheque she provided wasn’t enough.
She revealed how the couple, who had asked for cash gifts, had emailed to say they were ‘surprised’ by her contribution and suggested an ‘adjustment.’
She went on to say that the bride and groom declared ‘we were surprised that your contribution didn’t seem to match the warmth of your good wishes on our big day.
They added: ‘In view of your own position, if you wanted to send any adjustment it would be thankfully received.’
The wedding guest assumed that the reference to her position was in regard to a recent inheritance. She then asked …
'Should I reply, ring them, ignore it or what?’
The suggestions ranged from ‘cancelling’ the check, to telling mutual friends about the incident, to sending a glitter bomb.
Instead, she chose to respond with the following:
‘I assume this was some sort of mistake?’
Many of us struggle with being as generous as our faith calls us to be. But perhaps the real lesson of this story lies at the other end: Learning to be content with what we receive. Judging others for their lack of generosity comes easy. What’s much harder is to keep one’s own sense of entitlement in check. The world doesn’t owe us as much as we tend to think. When we have to resort to shaming others to get what we want out of them, it might be time to let it go. It’s just not worth forfeiting our contentment, not to mention the likelihood of losing a relationship.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you' ” (Hebrews 13:5).
A Most Generous Christmas Bonus
For a third year running, FORTUNE Magazine has named Hilcorp one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." This year, they certainly proved themselves worthy by awarding each of their 1,380 employees a $100,000 Christmas bonus. That’s right—$100,000 per employee, regardless of their position in the company! The bonuses allow the entire Hilcorp team to share in the company’s success.
This is not the first time Hilcorp has offered extravagant bonuses (a few years ago it offered its employees the choice of a $50,000 car or $35,000 in cash), and no doubt it won’t be the last. The recipients seem to be truly grateful. “It’s just a true gift, and I think myself, along with everyone, is not going to give less than 100 percent each day,” receptionist Amanda Thompson told Fox 4 News in Houston.
Hilcorp's generosity really is a “true gift.” But what about the original Christmas bonus program?!
Two thousand plus years ago, God presented Himself to all mankind as the truest of all true gifts. He came to live for us and to die for us so that He could offer us the bonus of all bonuses—eternal life, offered equally to each one, regardless of our position, rank, or status.
If the employees of Hilcorp can be so motivated by $100,000 to give “100 percent each day” back to the company, how much more ought we give of ourselves 100 percent in service and gratitude to the One who gave it ALL for us!
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).