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Written by Dynamis Ministries | August 15, 2024

Chances are, before this day is over, you’ll be asked, “How are you?” This question is perhaps the single most common greeting we use in our culture today. It’s worth considering if it’s even a real question, or if it’s simply a cultural greeting. But if we go with it and answer the question, we might say, “Fine,” Good,” “Can’t Complain,” or the perhaps most popular answer— “Busy.” Whether it’s working multiple jobs, having a career while going back to school or being a super-parent getting your kids to all their activities, and trying to balance it all with some time for family and friends, we all know what it’s like to be busy!

When it comes to our generosity, oftentimes being busy is one of the greatest challenges that gets in the way of our giving. We look at our schedule and can’t see how we can make time to serve or volunteer. Or we are just too exhausted from all our commitments that we don’t even have the mental capacity to sit down and budget our financial giving. These are all valid challenges to our giving, but there’s hope because busyness is a giant that can be overcome when it comes to our giving.

We look to Jesus as the supreme example of generosity, yet when we read the Gospels it’s so easy to overlook how incredibly busy Jesus was when he was doing ministry. Think about it, throughout the Gospels Jesus is always on the move, traveling from one city to another, preaching in a synagogue here and teaching in the countryside there. He’ll be speaking to a multitude one moment, then the next he’s a guest in someone’s home and serving just one individual. If anyone can relate to what it’s like to work long hours, coming home at night feeling exhausted physically and emotionally, it was certainly Jesus.

Yet despite his busyness, Jesus still lived a life of radical generosity. Perhaps one reason why Jesus was so generous was because he was an INTENTIONALLY SPONTANEOUS GIVER. Let’s unpack this idea together.

Some of Jesus’ most generous miracles and acts of healing occurred in moments of transition. For example, in Matthew 9 when Jesus healed two men who were blind, it occurred “as Jesus passed on from there” (v.27). And, in Luke 17 when Jesus healed 10 men with leprosy, it happened “as he entered the village” (v. 11). A couple of chapters later, in Luke 19 when Jesus has a life-changing encounter with Zacchaeus, it happened as he was “passing through” (v. 1). In other words, these generous miracles weren’t planned for, on Jesus’ to-do list or in his daily planner. They were simply an outcome of his spontaneity as he went about the hustle and bustle of his busy days. Jesus was a man of compassion and love, which made his generosity intentional; however, he was also a man who responded in the moment, which made his generosity spontaneous too.

Realizing that many of Jesus’ most generous acts were not planned or scheduled but rather occurred “as he was…” encourages us as we try to grow our generosity in our very busy and hectic schedules. Even in seasons when we feel overwhelmed with work or commitments, we can still make a difference in people’s lives with our generosity. So, the next time you find yourself in an “as I was…” situation, be on the lookout for a generosity opportunity. Maybe the breakthrough in your giving isn’t through another sophisticated time of planning. Just maybe, it could be “as you are…” where you welcome a little spontaneity to respond in the moment as God directs. This can be life-changing for you and for the people you meet!

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