Maximise Your Life with Paul Benger - Part Five
In this next chapter of Twelve by Paul Bengar, Paul challenges your generosity! Read on for more great wisdom on the issues of life in this months feature chapter...
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, and not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
One of my favourite places to visit has been the aquarium at Sydney's Darling Harbour. I've now been there three times and each time I've taken different people with me and they have all loved it. What truly blows me away is the colour, creativity and variety of the underwater world. When God created our world he was everything but bland. I like to think that even in the incredible spectrum of creation we only have a pinch of God's personality and nature. What an exciting thing to grow in the knowledge of our God for all of eternity. God is clearly generous. Everything that he does comes from a generous spirit. I want to remind you that we have been made in his image and likeness and we too should desire a lifestyle of generosity. Generosity is not about how much we have, but more about the spirit with which we approach our lives. Neither is generosity just about money. Of course money is included, but generosity is an attitude that will express itself across the whole spectrum of our lives. What a better place our world would be if we lived out our lives with gestures, smiles, waves, actions and words that were designed to bless others. I love meeting people who make good eye contact and do it with a smile. It has a big impact upon me, it makes me want to know that person more, it makes me feel like the person is interested in me.
Smile more
Have you ever watched yourself on video? Scary, isn't it? I recently watched myself speak on a subject that I was very passionate and enthusiastic about, the only problem was my face didn't show it. Whilst I can't do a lot about my facial features, plastic surgery apart, I came to the conclusion that I could smile more. Why would I want to do that? Because people matter and because what I've got to say matters. In response to y discovery of a miserable face I underwent a training program to smile more. I would regularly look at myself in the mirror and try to smile while talking. Then whilst the family was watching TV I would be sat there smiling. Jeannie often asked, "What are you smiling at?" "I'm just learning to smile and look happy," would be my reply, "I want my face to reflect what's going on in my heart, my passion, life and vitality."
A life giving spirit
The first man, Adam, became a living person. But the last Adam-that is, Christ-is a life giving Spirit. 1Corinthians 15:45 (NLT) It is impossible to encounter Jesus Christ and be the same. Why? Because his whole persona is life giving. When you meet Christ the dead areas of your life
change because they are confronted with the most powerful life force in the universe. Religious experience that has no transforming power has little to do with Jesus because he is life. Stale, not growing, unchanging, consumer not producer, dull and lifeless believers have lost connection with Christ. (Colossians 2:19) "The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." John 10:10 It's so exciting to think that our walk with God is one of receiving life from him and then passing that life on to others. Right at the heart of the generous man or woman is a desire to impart life to other people. Their desire is not to manipulate and control, to squash and hinder but to release people to become all that they can be and all that they were meant to be for God
Values
To be a generous, life giving person you will have to learn how to live from your personal set of values. Those values are what you are about, what you believe you are meant to be doing, how you are meant to be doing it. Your values will be your inner vision that will show you how you can wear God well in your world. They will include things like: being a person of integrity; having a godly character; doing what is right and not what is convenient; helping others; being blessed to be a blessing etc.. You see life is not just about completing a task or a series of tasks, it's a spirit, an attitude. I am grateful to Kevin Gerald of Covenant Celebration Church in Seattle for the following points on living from your values: Live from your values not from your hurts. We all get hurt in life, usually by other people. When you are hurt you have the opportunity to forsake the generous spirit and become disappointed and angry. Living from your values, which may be tough, will allow you to be a life giving person at all times. Live from your values not from your thirst for approval. The thirst for approval can really mess you up. A great phrase has appeared in the church in recent years, "Live for an audience of one." God wants you to realise that he is your biggest fan. For years now I've watched my eldest son play football. He's done really well having had spells with several professional clubs. One thing I've noticed is this, everything he does seems to matter more to me than to anyone else, including his manager. Why? Because I'm his biggest fan! No one cheers more loudly than I do when he scores, wins a tackle, makes an assist or delivers a great pass. The same is true of God, he's cheering you on right now. "If God is for us, who can ever be against us." Romans 8:31 (NLT) Knowing that God approves of you means you can live from the convictions that he has put within you. Live from your values not your natural instincts. I hope the smile thing hasn't made you feel like I'm bonkers. The truth of the matter, however, is that I am willing to change my natural instincts so that I can express the values in my heart. Many people find it hard to believe that I am shy. I find first-time meetings uncomfortable. So looking someone in the eye, smiling and being friendly is not my natural instinct. It is, however, something I must do to be all that God wants me to be. Live from your values not from self imposed limitations. Your values are your compass as to what is possible in your life. For me that's a great church having influence and impact in the lives of thousands of people. I am not there by a long way but I have to live my life according to what God has for me and not limit what I believe that I can achieve. You too need to refuse the temptation to downsize your vision but continue to be value led, even when the phone isn't ringing and no one seems to know you. Live from your values not from your awareness of what is wrong with the world. There are things wrong with the world that you're not meant to fix. You are not meant to be constantly reacting to the squeaky wheel. Wheels will always squeak, the trick is to only fix the ones attached to your bus.
A schemer and a dreamer
Some years ago Luis Palau wrote a book which was subtitled, "God's way to the top." If you are a generous person you will both dream and scheme. Consider these verses:
"A generous man devises generous things." Isaiah 32:8 (NKJV)
"Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor." Proverbs 22:9 (NLT)
The ability to see beyond yourself and spot opportunities to bless others is reserved for those who have the right spirit. I am constantly amazed at how critical our world is of other people. At times it seems as if everyone is out to pull everyone else down. It must be because they feel so bad about themselves. You and I are meant to have a different spirit, a spirit that is devising plans to bless and impact others for good.
Acts of kindness
Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth...that this man stands before you healed. Acts 4:8-10 The healing of the crippled beggar in Acts chapter 3 caused quite a stir. Peter saw the healing simply as an act of kindness performed in the name of Jesus. The book of Acts elsewhere talks about the ministry of Jesus in a similar way. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38 Acts of kindness or good works are part of our life because the gospel is good news. God's fantastic idea of lifting the lives of people gets under the skin of the people of God and they cannot help but do good because God is good. The spirit of generosity that is part of God's nature will get on you as you grow into his image and into his likeness. The church is set for a new phase of community action and involvement empowered by the Spirit. Yes, in the demonstration of miraculous signs and wonders, but also in millions of daily, routine, seemingly insignificant acts of kindness.
Not a day trip
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 Looking for ways to bless others, when it becomes a way of life, engages us with the principle of sowing and reaping. I began by quoting Paul, "Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." You and I are not meant to take excursions into generosity, we are meant to live there. Your everyday life should be full of acts of kindness and generosity. Smiles, waves, high-fives, gifts, kind words, practical help, a listening ear, being there when someone is talking to you etc.. These are all opportunities that we have each day of our lives to be like our great God.
Fish
You may have come across the fish philosophy that has been birthed out of the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle. Selling fish isn't the most prestigious or glamorous profession and yet with four simple rules these men and woman have changed not only their world but also the worlds of many people around the world. Here are the four points of the fish philosophy.
1. Have Fun
2. Choose Your Attitude
3. Make Their Day
4. Be Present
This philosophy to work is so successful because it embodies the principle of generosity. Fun is a generous activity. When choosing your attitude, the choice of a good attitude towards work and others is being generous. The decision to make someone else's day and be present when engaging people is a good decision.
Be good to yourself
The ability to do good comes from the knowledge that God is good, and the revelation that he has good things for you. If you are going to be generous to others you will have to be generous to yourself. I'm not talking about self-indulgence but about being kind to yourself and forgiving yourself. Wherever you find yourself today you have hope and a future. You've got to believe this! I once heard someone say, "When you know who God is, you can know who you are and then you will relate well to other people." Your ability to be generous to others is determined by your revelation of God and by the measure of kindness that you show to yourself. Don't take yourself too seriously. I'm amazed how uptight human beings can become. Life is for living! You are meant to have fun along the way!
REMEMBER:
God is generous and you are made in his image
Generosity is not about how much you have, its a spirit, an attitude.
Live from your values
Generous people plan generous things
Life is for living, have fun