Written by Special Guest Contributor, Dennis Gorski | December 22, 2022
Earlier this year my wife, Jane, and I completed our own Generosity Plan to experience first-hand the process I helped build. We both found it thought provoking, inspiring and challenging. One of the unique outcomes of the Generosity Plan process is that it’s way more than just identifying concrete ways to give, such as through money instruments or volunteering. It’s just as much about growing a spirit of generosity and changing attitudes. This latter outcome is something I am trying to be more intentional and cognizant of, especially in this giving time of year. And for that I am looking to my mentor and coach, Jesus Christ, as the best gift giver that ever was and still is.
In this Christmas season, as we celebrate the gift of Jesus and exchange gifts as well, I have found it helpful to think of generosity as a gift. These gifts can be very tangible in nature; a new toy for a child, a donation to a favorite charity, or a meal shared with family. Just as well these gifts can be intangible; appreciation and understanding towards someone who thinks very differently than us, or grace for someone who makes us angry. I am trying to give both types this Christmas. And it doesn’t become a gift unless it is given away to someone else. For free. No strings attached. Here is my money. Here is my time. Here is grace and understanding and empathy and love and attention and listening and acknowledgement and appreciation. Will you accept this gift?
And there’s another gift that’s been on my heart this Christmas season, which frankly is the whole reason why God gifted His son Jesus to us in the first place: forgiveness. At Christmas, we probably see a lot of people we don’t see at other times of the year. Some we can’t wait to see, and with others there might be some dread. It could be that brother-in-law who drives us up the wall, or a parent or child where past words or actions have created wounds that run much deeper. Sometimes there has been a very clear turbulent incident from the past, and sometimes we can’t even remember exactly why we have those uncomfortable pangs inside, but clearly there is a wall. This Christmas there are opportunities for us to restore relationships, open up communication and heal wounds. We can do it by giving the gift of forgiveness. Jesus gave it to us. We can give it to others. It is a form of generosity. And we can enable others to give the gift of forgiveness to us by confessing that we hurt them. It’s a different kind of gift exchange. It doesn’t have to be long and drawn out; brevity is better to get it started. Something like: “I know I have hurt you, and I am sorry, will you forgive me?” Scary? Maybe. Restorative? We’ll never know unless we put it out there. Helping others be generous? You bet.
I’ll conclude with this. For unto us a child is given. The maker and model of all generosity. The best gift giver ever! Even when we don’t appreciate or deserve it, He keeps giving. May all of us this Christmas be a bit more like Him. A bit more generous. A bit more giving. A bit more forgiving. From all of us here at Dynamis Ministries, Merry Christmas.
Photo Credit: Monika Stawowy
Bio:
Dennis Gorski is the Founder and Co-Executive Director, of Dynamis Ministries as well as the founder of Wela Financial, a financial services agency serving the greater Chicagoland region. Dennis is passionate about providing financial wisdom to help people prosper financially as well as mature spiritually. Even more, Dennis is devoted to the Lord and his beautiful and abundant family – his wife Jane and their children and grandchildren.
