How to be generous when you’re broke

So, you’re broke. Or close to it. Maybe you’re living month-to-month on a bare-bones budget. If this is the season you find yourself in, you might be tempted to think that generous giving isn’t an option for you. If so, be encouraged. Nothing could be further from the truth!

We tend to think of generosity as giving away a lot of money, but that’s simply not true. Generosity is about giving freely and readily from the heart, which can take many forms. To be sure, one expression of generosity is to give financially in abundance, but generosity is rooted not in the size of a gift but in a heart of cheerful sacrifice. The financial sacrifice will look much different for someone with a low income than for someone with great wealth. Whether God has entrusted us with hundreds of dollars or millions, we all have something to give. So, ask God for humility and wisdom. And give.

But wait, there’s more!

Money isn’t the only thing we can give; in fact, the most significant resources entrusted to us aren’t even financial in nature. If you’re recently out of high school, in college, or starting a career, there’s a good chance you don’t have much money. There’s also a good chance you have some extra time and energy, especially if you’re single or married without kids. And you are undoubtedly talented in one or more ways.

There are endless ways to be generous with your time, energy, and talents. The elderly woman around the corner who needs her groceries delivered and her grass cut. The kid down the street who needs a godly role model in their life. The new couple in town who need help unloading the moving truck. Your local church that needs a few more volunteers to sustain an important ministry.

Time. Energy. Talent. These are things entrusted to you by God, things you can generously give to others (regardless of your income level). Are you stingy with your time, energy, and talents, or do you look for ways to be generous toward others using these gifts from our generous God?

Limited income may restrict your ability to give financially, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be a tremendous blessing to others and the Kingdom.

So be broke. And be generous.