As a young girl, I believed that we lived a normal life. At least normal as in, how I thought any other family lived. I grew up in the suburbs of Greenville County. We lived in a nice home, owned a car, and had a few pets. We had food on the table each day and clothing to wear. But as I got older, I learned more about our “worth.” Not in a personal sense, but in a financial sense. And that is when I learned that our family struggled to make ends meet monthly.
I recall going out one day as a family and upon arriving at home, there were loads – LOADS – of groceries at our back doorstep. I didn’t understand what that was about at the time, but I reflect on that moment today and realize that someone, or someone(s), knew us well enough to know there was a need. And they acted—selflessly.
Over the years, God has shown me what generous giving looks like. Time, talent, and treasure. My grandparents were generous donors, having paid for my college education plus that of my sister’s. They started a family Foundation in 1988—one that still exists today—that supports many non-profit organizations throughout the US. I have watched their gifts multiply even past their deaths. My grandmother—one of the sweetest women I have known—would get so excited about giving just a small $500 donation to a local classroom! Generosity was inherent in who they were and the impact they wanted to make on others.
Then, I met and married my best friend—another gift from God. My husband, James showed me by example what generous giving looks like through giving his time, talent, and treasure. With a servant’s heart, I have watched as he faithfully and joyfully supported our church and several organizations in the community. And simply knowing his parents and being a witness to their generosity over the last 25 years has shaped my own stewardship journey.
Over the past few months (honestly, more than I care to admit), I have felt convicted by the Holy Spirit who is urging me to serve in some capacity. Outside of how I am already serving. Giving my time and talent, not just the treasure that God has entrusted to me. For me, it is easy to make a financial donation to a ministry that I am passionate about. But am I merely checking a box and calling it done? What about time? For me, that’s in short supply already!
We are studying the Book of James at church right now, and through my conviction over the past several months, this verse continues to repeat itself in my head. “Be doers, not hearers only…” I know God is asking me to move—He has been for several months now—to give my time and talent to help another. This brings up so many questions. Am I simply a hearer of God’s Word? Or am I moving on how God is convicting me? And if I am not moving, am I satisfied with simply checking my box of treasure only? No time, no talent?
Just this week, God opened a door. I called my husband and said, “you might think this is crazy, but…” I continued… “I see this as a get to, not a have to…” He wept tears of joy. This next step in my journey will take time to prep and to serve, but it will also make a difference in other women’s lives. To me, this is time well spent.
My prayer today is that we are both hearers and doers of the Word. That we are making more than financial commitments with a hands-off approach. But that we are using our God-given time and talents to step into others’ lives to share the hope we have in Christ.