“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38
Beautiful sister, can I share something vulnerable with you today? There was a season in my life when I thought I couldn’t afford to give. Bills were piling up, debt was suffocating me, and the idea of giving away money when I barely had enough felt, quite honestly, foolish.
I remember standing in church one Sunday, clutching my last money during the offering. My mind was racing: “I need this for transport this week. I need this for lunch. I literally have nothing else until payday.” But something in my spirit whispered: “Trust Me.”
Sister, I gave it. Every last cent. And I won’t lie – walking out of church that day, I felt both peace and panic at the same time.
That week at work, everything shifted. Sales that had been slow suddenly picked up. Deals I thought were dead came back to life. My performance numbers jumped in ways I couldn’t explain. And then, just months later, I got promoted – something I hadn’t even been actively pursuing.
Now, I could write it off as coincidence. I could say it was just good timing or hard work finally paying off. But deep in my spirit, I knew: God honored my obedience. When I trusted Him with my last, He multiplied it beyond what I could imagine.
What happened changed my understanding of money, faith, and abundance forever.
Today, we’re exploring the power of giving – not as a religious obligation or a poverty mindset that keeps you broke, but as a biblical principle that literally transforms your financial life and your soul. With peace, love, and abundant grace, let’s be elevated, empowered, and enriched by understanding true generosity.
Why We Struggle with Giving
Let’s be honest about why giving feels hard, because pretending it’s easy doesn’t help anyone.
The Scarcity Mindset
Most of us have been raised with a scarcity mindset: “There’s not enough. Hold tight to what you have. Protect your resources. Look out for yourself first.”
This mindset makes perfect logical sense when you’re looking at your bank balance and your bills. The math doesn’t seem to add up. How can you give what you don’t have?
But here’s what I’ve learned: scarcity thinking keeps you trapped in scarcity reality.
“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” – Proverbs 11:24
The Control Illusion
We think holding onto our money tightly gives us control. We believe that keeping every rand means more security. But sister, this is an illusion.
The truth? We never had control in the first place. Jobs can disappear overnight. Economies shift. Unexpected expenses arise. Health fails. Life happens.
True security doesn’t come from clutching money tightly – it comes from trusting the One who provides.
The “When I Have More” Trap
How many times have you said: “When I earn more, I’ll give more. When I’m debt-free, I’ll be generous. When I’m financially comfortable, then I’ll help others.”?
Sister, I’ve learned this painful truth: if you don’t give when you have little, you won’t give when you have much. Generosity isn’t about the amount – it’s about the heart posture.
The widow with her two coins taught us this. She didn’t wait until she was rich. She gave from her poverty, and Jesus said she gave more than all the wealthy people combined.
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” – Mark 12:43-44
The Biblical Foundation of Giving
Before we talk about how to give, let’s ground ourselves in why we give. Because when your “why” is clear, your “how” becomes easier.
1. Everything Belongs to God (We’re Just Stewards)
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1
This shifts everything. You’re not giving away YOUR money – you’re managing God’s resources. You’re not the owner; you’re the steward.
When you understand this, giving becomes easier because you’re simply returning to God what was always His. You’re distributing resources according to His heart and purposes.
2. Giving Reflects Our Trust in God
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” – Malachi 3:10
Did you catch that? This is the ONLY place in scripture where God says “test me.” He’s inviting us to try Him, to see if He’s faithful to provide when we’re obedient to give.
Giving is an act of worship that says: “God, I trust You more than I trust this money. I believe You’ll provide for me when I prioritize Your kingdom.”
3. God Loves a Cheerful Giver
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
Notice this: God doesn’t just want your money. He wants your heart. He wants you to give joyfully, willingly, eagerly – not out of guilt, obligation, or manipulation.
If you’re giving begrudgingly, you’re missing the blessing. The transformation happens when giving brings you joy, not resentment.
4. We Reap What We Sow
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6
This isn’t a “give to get” scheme. It’s a spiritual principle. Generosity breeds abundance. Not always in money, but in ways that matter even more: peace, joy, purpose, community, provision in unexpected ways.
When you plant seeds of generosity, you will harvest a crop. It might not come from where you expect, and it might not look like you imagined, but God is faithful.
My Personal Journey with Giving
Let me take you back to that Sunday I mentioned. I gave that R50. Every practical bone in my body screamed that I was being irresponsible. But my spirit felt peace.
That week, sister, things shifted.
A client I’d written off as not buying a car surprised me — not only did they come through, but they bought two cars! What a reminder that God can turn a ‘no’ into more than you imagined. A friend invited me to lunch and sent me home with groceries. None of these things were big dramatic miracles – they were quiet provisions that added up to far more than R50.
But the external provision wasn’t even the biggest shift. Something changed inside me.
The fear loosened its grip. The anxiety about money softened. A sense of abundance – even with my actual lack – began to grow.
I realized that giving wasn’t depleting me; it was liberating me. Every time I gave, I was declaring: “Money is not my god. Money is not my security. Money is not my master. I am free.”
And freedom, sister, is priceless.
The Transformative Power of Giving
1. Giving Breaks the Poverty Spirit
There’s a spiritual dynamic at play with giving that goes beyond natural logic. When you give from your lack, you’re declaring war on the poverty spirit that wants to keep you trapped in scarcity thinking.
Poverty isn’t just about how much money you have – it’s about how you think about money.
I’ve met people earning R10,000 who were rich in spirit, generous and content. I’ve met people earning R100,000 who were poor in spirit, always fearful and stingy. The difference wasn’t the amount – it was the mindset.
When you give, you’re cultivating an abundance mindset. You’re telling yourself and the universe: “There’s enough. There will always be enough. I trust the Source of all provision.”
2. Giving Positions You for Blessing
I’m not talking about prosperity gospel nonsense where you give R100 expecting R1,000 back. I’m talking about positioning your heart to receive what God wants to pour out.
When your hands are closed tightly around what you have, they’re not open to receive what’s coming.
Giving keeps your hands open. It keeps your heart soft. It keeps you in a posture of receptivity rather than hoarding.
3. Giving Creates Community and Connection
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” – Acts 2:44-45
When you give, you become part of something bigger than yourself. You strengthen your community. You build relationships. You create networks of mutual support.
I’ve seen this in action. The sister who helped her friend with rent when she was struggling later received help with childcare when she needed it. The brother who gave groceries to his neighbor later got a business referral from that same neighbor.
Generosity creates a web of abundance where everyone is caught and supported.
4. Giving Brings Joy and Purpose
There’s a unique joy that comes from giving that you simply cannot experience any other way. Science has even confirmed this – giving activates pleasure centers in the brain and releases dopamine.
But more than that, giving connects you to purpose. It makes your money meaningful. Instead of just working to pay bills and buy things, you’re working to be a blessing. That shift in purpose transforms everything.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35
Jesus said this, and sister, He was right. The blessing of giving exceeds the blessing of receiving. Try it and see.
5. Giving Develops Your Character
Generosity is a muscle that gets stronger with use. Each time you give, especially when it costs you something, you’re building character:
- Faith grows (you’re trusting God to provide)
- Compassion deepens (you’re seeing and responding to others’ needs)
- Gratitude increases (you recognize how much you’ve been given)
- Contentment develops (you learn you need less than you thought)
- Wisdom matures (you understand money’s true purpose)
Who you become through giving is more valuable than what you give.
Practical Ways to Give (Even When Money is Tight)
Sister, I know some of you are reading this thinking: “This sounds beautiful, but I literally have nothing to give.”
Let me challenge that gently. You have more than you think.
1. Start with Tithing (Even if Small)
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” – Proverbs 3:9-10
Tithing – giving 10% of your income to your church or ministry – is a biblical principle. But if 10% feels impossible right now, start with something.
Give 1%. Give 2%. Give 5%. The percentage matters less than the obedience and the heart posture.
I started with 2% when I was drowning in debt. As God proved faithful, I increased it. Now tithing 10% feels like a privilege, not a burden.
Practical Tip: Set up an automatic transfer the day you get paid. Give from your “firstfruits” before bills, before groceries, before anything else. This requires faith and builds trust.
2. Give Your Time and Skills
Money isn’t the only currency of generosity. Your time, skills, and talents are incredibly valuable.
Ways to give without money:
- Tutor a child who’s struggling in school
- Cook a meal for a sick neighbor
- Offer professional services pro bono to someone in need
- Babysit for a single mother who needs a break
- Teach a skill you have to someone trying to learn
- Volunteer at church, school, or community organizations
- Mentor someone younger in your field
- Listen deeply to someone going through a hard time
Your presence, attention, and expertise are gifts that money can’t buy.
3. Give What You Have (Not What You Don’t)
Remember the boy with five loaves and two fish? He gave what he had, and Jesus multiplied it to feed thousands.
What do you have that someone else needs?
- Extra clothes? Donate them.
- Unused furniture? Give it to someone setting up a home.
- Garden vegetables? Share with neighbors.
- Transportation? Offer someone a ride.
- Internet access? Let someone use it for job applications.
Don’t wait until you have what you think is “enough” to give. Give what you have right now.
4. Giving Through Stokvels and Community Groups
Remember our Ubuntu principles? Giving doesn’t always have to be one-directional. Participate in community giving structures like:
- Stokvels where everyone contributes and everyone benefits
- Grocery clubs that buy in bulk and share savings
- Rotating childcare so everyone gets help
- Skills exchanges where you trade services
- Community gardens where produce is shared
This is giving and receiving simultaneously – the Ubuntu way.
5. Anonymous Giving
Some of the most powerful giving happens in secret.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:3-4
Ideas for anonymous giving:
- Pay for someone’s groceries without them knowing
- Leave money in an envelope for someone struggling
- Pay a debt someone owes without taking credit
- Send groceries to a struggling family anonymously
When you give without recognition, you’re giving in its purest form – for the joy of blessing, not for the praise of people.
6. Giving to Causes and Organizations
Beyond personal giving, support organizations doing Kingdom work:
- Your local church (the storehouse where you’re spiritually fed)
- Ministries addressing needs you care about (poverty relief, education, addiction recovery)
- Mission organizations spreading the gospel
- Charities serving your community
- NGOs working on issues close to your heart
Research the organizations to ensure they’re using funds well. Ask about their financial transparency and impact.
How to Give Wisely (Not Foolishly)
Generosity doesn’t mean being naive or enabling destructive behavior. Wisdom and compassion can coexist.
Principle 1: Give Prayerfully
Before giving, especially large amounts, pray. Ask God:
- Is this where You want me to give?
- Is this the right timing?
- What amount should I give?
- Am I giving from the right motives?
Not every request is a call you should answer. Sometimes saying no is the wisest and most loving response.
Principle 2: Give Strategically
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” – Proverbs 21:20
Wisdom involves:
- Prioritizing your giving (tithe first, then other causes)
- Planning your giving into your budget
- Researching where your money will have the most impact
- Balancing immediate needs with long-term solutions
You can be generous and wise simultaneously.
Principle 3: Don’t Give What You’ve Borrowed
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” – Psalm 37:21
If you’re in debt, your first obligation is to repay what you owe. Don’t take on debt to give or give money that should go toward debt repayment.
Exception: Your tithe should still come first, even while paying off debt. But beyond that, focus on becoming debt-free so you can give even more freely.
Principle 4: Help People Help Themselves
The best giving often empowers people rather than creating dependency.
Instead of just giving money:
- Teach financial literacy
- Help with job applications
- Offer business mentorship
- Provide tools or resources for income generation
- Connect people with opportunities
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Principle 5: Protect Your Family First
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
Generosity shouldn’t come at the expense of your family’s basic needs. Ensure your household is provided for before giving beyond your tithe.
This isn’t selfishness – it’s stewardship. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
Overcoming Barriers to Giving
Barrier 1: “I Can’t Afford It”
Truth: You can’t afford NOT to give. Giving positions you for blessing and breaks the scarcity mindset keeping you stuck.
Action: Start with any amount. Even R10. Even R5. Even 1% of your income. Build from there.
Barrier 2: “I’ve Been Taken Advantage Of”
Truth: Yes, sometimes people misuse your generosity. But that’s between them and God. Your responsibility is obedience, not results.
Action: Give wisely, but don’t let past hurts make you stingy. Let wisdom, not wounds, guide your giving.
Barrier 3: “No One Gives to Me”
Truth: Generosity isn’t transactional. You give because you’ve been given to by God, not because others give to you.
Action: Be the change. Break the cycle. Give even when you don’t receive. Watch how this transforms your heart.
Barrier 4: “I Need to Save First”
Truth: Saving is wise, but giving comes first. When you honor God with your firstfruits, He multiplies what remains.
Action: Budget for both giving and saving. They’re not mutually exclusive. Give first, then save from what remains.
Barrier 5: “I’ll Give When I’m Debt-Free”
Truth: Debt-freedom might take years. Don’t withhold generosity waiting for perfect conditions.
Action: Give your tithe even while in debt. Once debt-free, increase your giving. But don’t stop entirely during the debt-repayment journey.
Teaching Children the Power of Giving
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a generous spirit.
Age 5-8: The Foundation
Teach them:
- God owns everything; we’re just stewards
- Giving makes God happy and helps people
- We give because we love God and others
Practical activities:
- Let them put money in the church offering
- Involve them in choosing items to donate
- Help them give toys to children who have none
- Pray together for people you’re helping
Age 9-12: Understanding Grows
Teach them:
- Tithing as a biblical principle
- Different ways to give (money, time, skills)
- How to identify genuine needs
- The joy that comes from generosity
Practical activities:
- Give them money specifically for giving decisions
- Volunteer together at community organizations
- Let them “adopt” a cause to support regularly
- Discuss real-life giving situations and decisions
Age 13-17: Building Habits
Teach them:
- How to budget for giving
- Researching and evaluating organizations
- The difference between enabling and empowering
- Long-term impact of consistent generosity
Practical activities:
- Help them set up automatic giving
- Involve them in family giving decisions
- Support their own giving initiatives
- Share stories of how giving has blessed your family
Age 18+: Independent Generosity
Teach them:
- Creating their own giving strategy
- Balancing giving with other financial responsibilities
- How giving fits into comprehensive financial planning
- The spiritual and practical benefits of generosity
Support them by:
- Respecting their giving decisions
- Continuing to model generosity yourself
- Celebrating their generous choices
- Being available for wisdom when asked
The Ripple Effect of Generosity
Sister, here’s something beautiful about giving: you never know the full impact of your generosity.
That R50 I gave? It was part of the church offering that helped pay for a struggling family’s groceries that week. That family’s teenager later became a youth leader who mentored dozens of young people. One of those young people is now a pastor serving a community.
Your R50, R100, R500 creates ripples you’ll never see.
The widow’s two coins. The boy’s five loaves. Your small act of faith. In God’s economy, nothing is wasted. Everything is multiplied for Kingdom purposes.
When Giving Gets Hard Again
Let me be honest with you – I still have moments where giving feels difficult. When unexpected expenses arise, when income is uncertain, when I’m tempted to hold tight again.
In those moments, I remember:
1. God’s past faithfulness. He’s provided every single time. Why would He stop now?
2. My “why” for giving. I give because everything belongs to Him, because generosity reflects His heart, because it’s my worship.
3. The joy giving brings. Even when it costs me, it enriches me in ways money never could.
4. The bigger picture. This isn’t just about money – it’s about who I’m becoming and the Kingdom I’m building.
5. Scripture’s promises. God cannot lie. If He said He’ll provide for generous givers, He will.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Your Invitation to Abundant Generosity
Beautiful sister, I want to invite you into a lifestyle of generosity. Not because it’s your religious duty, but because it’s your spiritual privilege. Not because you have excess, but because you trust the One who provides.
What if you gave just to see what God would do?
What if you tithed, even though the math doesn’t make sense?
What if you blessed someone, even though you feel like you need blessing?
What if you opened your hands, even though fear wants you to close them?
I’m not promising you’ll get rich. I’m not promising all your problems will disappear. I’m not promising it will be easy.
But I am promising this: When you honor God with your giving, He will honor you with His provision, presence, and peace.
You might not have more money, but you’ll have less anxiety about money.
You might not be wealthy by the world’s standards, but you’ll be rich in what truly matters.
You might not understand how it all works, but you’ll experience the supernatural multiplication of your resources.
This is the power of giving.
Your Next Steps: The 30-Day Generosity Challenge
Ready to experience this transformation for yourself? Here’s your challenge:
Week 1: Commit to Tithing
- Calculate 10% of your income (or start with whatever percentage feels like faith)
- Set up automatic transfer to your church on payday
- Journal how you feel before and after giving
Week 2: Give Your Time
- Volunteer at least 3 hours this week
- Offer your skills to someone in need
- Simply be present for someone going through difficulty
- Notice the joy it brings
Week 3: Give Anonymously
- Find one way to bless someone without them knowing it’s you
- Pay for something, provide something, do something
- Experience pure generosity with zero recognition
Week 4: Teach Generosity
- Have a conversation with your children about giving
- Involve your family in a giving decision
- Share your generosity journey with a friend
- Inspire others toward generosity
At the end of 30 days, assess:
- How has your perspective on money changed?
- What unexpected provisions or blessings have you experienced?
- How do you feel about giving now versus before?
- What will you continue doing?
The Abundant Life Awaits
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
Sister, Jesus came to give you abundant life. Not just spiritually, but in every area – including your finances.
And here’s the paradox: abundance comes through giving, not hoarding.
When you give freely, you live freely.
When you bless generously, you’re blessed abundantly.
When you sow bountifully, you reap bountifully.
This isn’t a formula – it’s a relationship. It’s trusting God enough to open your hands. It’s believing His promises enough to act on them. It’s loving Him and others more than you love money.
And when you do this, everything changes.
Not just your bank balance (though often that too), but your heart, your perspective, your joy, your purpose, your peace, your relationships, your legacy.
This is the power of giving.
Will you step into it?
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Start Your Generosity Journey
Ready to experience the transformative power of giving in your own life? Looking for practical tools, budgeting guidance, and community support as you build a lifestyle of generosity?
Visit beacons.ai/thriven for resources that will help you manage your finances wisely so you can give freely – because abundant generosity flows from abundant stewardship.
What’s one way you’ll practice generosity this week? Share your commitment and let’s encourage each other toward abundant giving! 💜
Scripture for Meditation: “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