All that remains of followers of Jesus—those who are endowed by God with the capacity for giving—is their total surrender to the Lord. Their lives—their time, relationships, bodies, minds, emotions, spirits, labor, finances, and resources—are wholly owned by the Lord. When someone follows Jesus and gives all to him, nothing is not God's! Generosity—that is, a generous lifestyle of giving, loving, serving, and giving—is how this gift of giving is expressed.
Those with a giving gift say "yes" before someone asks for something. They exercise prudence in recognizing that not every need warrants assistance. The benefits of giving might be shared because the Holy Spirit may inspire someone else to provide for the need.
What kinds of giving exist? There are two different kinds of givers in Mark's gospel. There are two types of giving: generous giving and surplus giving. Both are beneficial. Generous giving offers all to the Lord first and then decides what can be maintained for God's purposes, whereas surplus giving provides out of what is left over—extra. The widow in Jesus' tale donates everything she owns, and Jesus commends her for her giving. The wealthy donate what is left over, but they do not feel obligated to give everything to the Lord.
Actually, those who are wealthy in particular must experience a deep reliance on God. They have a greater need, in a sense, for the guidance of the Holy Spirit regarding what to preserve and what to part with. The more options available, the more important it is to understand Christ's perspective. Giving generously means surrendering to God all that is already His out of obedience and love.
Giving freely of your time, money, or resources enables you to support God's mission, extend blessings to others, and demonstrate His love. Being generous is putting your faith in your altruistic Father to meet your wants as you pour out your love to others. By providing for material needs and demonstrating God's love in a concrete way, your generosity can have a long-lasting effect. Your life's blessings from heaven force you to bless people here on Earth. The gracious Holy Spirit extends an invitation to you to contribute gladly, knowing that doing so brings about wonderful blessings in both your life and the lives of the Lord's chosen ones. Behaving like Jesus means giving.
Being a giving, generous person doesn't have to be difficult. Give yourself to the Lord first and with everything you have, just as the believers in Macedonia did. Proceed by examining the resources you currently possess, including your time, connections, funds, and experience. You can make monetary contributions to missionaries, your church, or nonprofit organizations that share God's compassion for the poor. But giving is more than just giving money. Volunteer your time by helping at a neighborhood shelter, helping a friend in need, or mentoring a community member. Whether it's preparing a meal, offering assistance with a project, or imparting knowledge, use your skills to bless others.
Give with excitement, knowing that your giving will be used by God to benefit others and further His kingdom. Giving generously brings one closer to Christ.