Those who are generous are blessed,

for they share their bread with the poor.  (Proverbs 22:9)

The good person is generous and lends lavishly ... they lavish gifts on the poor --- a generosity that goes on, and on, and on.  (Psalm 112, The Message)

You are the light of the world ... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:14, 16)

Generosity changes us ... even as it changes others and the world.

Throughout the past few weeks we've been exploring the idea of "enough" .... how much is enough?  why and how do we get distracted by the need for more?  what are the decisions we need to make about living below or beyond our means?  Can we live into the Kingdom of God as if it is really present in the here and now, as we say we believe?  Or are we stuck in if only living ... if only things were different we would be happy, be able to save/give/be grateful/be at peace, etc.? 

And now we come to the heart of it all ... generosity as the defining quality of who we are and how we live as Christians.  Of course, our generosity is based on
 

            God's generosity in giving us life itself and all the things we experience and enjoy .... life is a gift and everything belongs to God.
 

            It is based on God's generosity in forgiving us when we forget that we belong to God and try to take things into our own hands.
 

           It is based on God's generous love of us and readiness to share God's self with us through Jesus and the Spirit and the church and the beauty of the earth.

In response to God's generosity, we join together as God's people to exercise and strengthen our own generous hearts as we give of ourselves, our resources .... as we give of our unique ways of being and doing and seeing the world.  There are many very specific and practical ways we do that ... supporting the mission of this church through our tithes and offerings, through our service and sharing, through our worship and care for one another and those in need.  

This week we are happy to introduce a tool that will allow you to give generously of your financial resources from the comfort of your own home from your computer, on the go from your phone or laptop, at your desk or on that play-date with the kids when you receive this email each week.  We hope it will be a convenience for those of you wishing to register for programs as well as an encouragement for you to exercise your generous heart in many ways. 

All you need to do is follow the link below ... click DONATE ... or when you are on the website find the blue DONATE button and follow the instructions. There will be an opportunity on Sunday to use the link on laptops between services. Perhaps you'll want to sign up for a regular transfer of funds to the operating budget ... or designate a gift to a special program or need in our world.

Financial giving isn't the only way we live out our identity as the generous people of God .... but it is one of them.  Be blessed!!!  Be generous!!! And be changed!!!