Discipline and generosity: A Christian’s guide to enjoying life in 2024
As we bid farewell to the past year and welcome the fresh beginnings of the new one, let us resolve to live our lives to the fullest while spreading love, kindness, and generosity.
Christians can easily lose sight of their calling to be caring and generous in today’s fast-paced and self-centered world. However, it is essential for believers to make a conscious effort to be more disciplined in their efforts to be generous and available to care for people around them.
Discovering how to enjoy life and be more generous is a noble pursuit for any Christian who seeks personal growth and desires to make a positive impact on others. In this article, we will explore practical ways to cultivate these disciplines, empowering you to live a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
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Here are some practical ways for Christians to cultivate a heart of generosity and availability in 2024.
As Christians, investing our time and resources in helping others is paramount. This could involve volunteering at a local charity or actively participating in our church. By setting aside time to serve others, we can develop a habit of graciousness and availability. When you seek to give to others, you not only bless them but also experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being generous and making a positive difference in their lives.
Additionally, be mindful of the financial resources God has given you and how you might use them to bless others. Whether giving to a charitable organization, sponsoring a child in need, or simply being willing to bless those around you in practical ways, you can demonstrate generosity through your financial stewardship. We read this promise in Proverbs 19:17, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
In addition to being financially generous, you can show your care for the people around you by simply asking them how you can serve. This might involve being a listening ear for a friend in need, lending a helping hand to a neighbor, or being open to building relationships with those who may be overlooked or marginalized. This may mean going out of your way to help someone in need, even if it is inconvenient or challenging. By making sacrifices for the sake of others, you are demonstrating a heart of generosity.
Our example and motivation to care for those around us come from Jesus Christ. He is our standard, and the more we strive to be like Him, the more people we can serve and love. The apostle John writes, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
One way to deepen your understanding of generosity is to study and reflect on the examples of generosity in the Bible. The stories of individuals like the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:25-37), who showed compassion and generosity to a stranger in need, or the widow who gave her last two coins (see Mark 12:41-44), can inspire and challenge you to emulate their selfless actions.
Living a life of discipline and generosity not only impacts those around us but also brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment to our own lives. When we prioritize serving and giving, we align ourselves with the teachings of Jesus and find meaning in putting our faith into practice.
As we strive to enjoy a fulfilling life in 2024 and beyond, let us continue to seek opportunities to be generous, not only with our resources but with our very lives.
May this new year be a time of transformation and growth as we wholeheartedly commit to living out our faith with unwavering discipline and boundless generosity.
Jason Jimenez is president of STAND STRONG Ministries, a faculty member at Summit Ministries, and the author of Challenging Conversations: A Practical Guide to Discuss Controversial Topics in the Church. For more info, check out www.standstrongministries.org.
