What is it that you are really good at? What do people know you for? When you are talked about in circles behind your back what is said about you? What will people remember about you at your funeral? Take some time to really think about that. Ask yourself, “What am I known for?”
In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes to the church and spells out what it is they are known for:
But as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you… 2 Corinthians 8:7
Paul commends the Christians at Corinth for their faith, their gifted speakers, their intellect, their passion, and their love. But then he says that he wants them to be known for this one additional act of grace:
…see that you excel in this act of grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:7
What was this act of grace? Not grace itself, although that is a good thing to be known for, but a particular act of grace. Well, we must look at the rest of the story:
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2
Paul wants the Christians at Corinth to be known for their generosity. He is telling them about the churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea and their generosity, even in the midst of their poverty. And he wants the church at Corinth to be known for the same.
What about you? Are you known for your generosity? Do you excel at giving? When people talk about you do they talk about open-handed you are with your money, your time and your talent? Will others remember that about you when you’re gone?
If you want to be known as a generous person, the time to start is now! If you wait until your rich, you’ll never be generous. If you wait until you have more, you’ll never be charitable. If you wait until you get to where you want to be, you’ll never be known as a giving person. Giving starts where you are, not where you want to be. Generosity starts today!
Ryan Smallwood
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