Stories of Excessive Generosity
On Wednesday November 21 my daughter-in-law, Michelle, grand daughters Vonnie and Bridgette, and their friend Mary and I went down to Calvary Mission. We all helped load the van and trucks to distribute Thanksgiving meals to many neighborhoods. Then we walked to the nearby library and distributed boxed turkey dinners from the pickup truck to men, women and children of all ages. What a blessing for everyone! The girls saw love in action. Their father is in Iraq and will be home for Christmas. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Dave, from Germantown, widower
I am not comfortable doing this because it calls attention to me. I strongly believe that any gift worth giving is something you would like to keep. (1) In college I gave a student from another country my high football jacket- I did remove the letter first. (2) when my first wife died, I asked her best friend if there was a keepsake of hers that she would like to have. She said "Yes, I would like to have the signed copy of the Ray Bradbury book you gave her for her birthday." My heart went to my feet as I handed her the book. A book that I bought in California and had Bradbury sign. (3) Since my second wife and I have been married we have given a house to the neighbor that looked after my mom and dad till they died, a car and a truck to my wife’s son, a car to Mid-South Christian College, and a truck to a friend. My wife has given much time to friends and neighbors that I did not include.
Bob, retired teacher
last year i planned to go on my very first missions trip with an international biblical studies class at my school. we went to costa rica. with my mom just then getting back into the routine of things (having just got out of school and starting a new job) we weren't quite sure how we were going to pay for the trip. well, knowing that God has all the money we prayed that he would provide a way for me to go on this trip if it was His will. i sent out support letters asking for prayers and any help anyone could give... of course i procrastinated and went into a panic... i thought for sure i wouldnt be able to raise enough in just a short amount of time. well i sent the letters and nothing came back day after day after day and then all of a sudden within a week’s time period i received 3 checks. i was looking to pay for about an $1800 trip with just these 3 checks... well…1 check was worth $100 !! the next check was worth $500 and the 3rd check worth $1000 !!!!!
other people in my class were early birds and sent out letters when they were supposed to (hah- who would've thought) and to a bunch of people (what a great idea)... they got their trips paid for with a ton of checks worth smaller amounts but God provided a way in such a short amount of time and so few amount of checks to pay for my whole trip !!
needless to say I’m excited about this spring’s upcoming mission trip to Romania... and even more looking forward to see how God will work in my life and through this trip!
Veronica, sr. high student - 12th grade
About 3 years ago a good friend's husband had a stroke. No warning, just happened. For the next 2 1/2 years I spent every Wednesday with her. She cared for Bill at home and had a caretaker for 4 hours a day, 2 days a week. We did running around, maybe a movie, lunch or just talked. Margie had a burden that I can't say I could handle. Bill, her husband, had very little movement on his left side and even that eventually left him, and Margie had to do everything for him. She never complained, cried at times, but never said, "why me". I had the honor and privilege to help tend to Bill as time went on. The time I spent with Margie and Bill I will never get back, but I can honestly say it was not a hardship for me. I think it was harder on my husband than me. My husband gave of his time with me so I could tend to Bill and Margie. Bill was as comfortable as we could make him. I think he knew he was loved and cared for. Excessive, yes, but that I think is a gift that I could give and loved giving it.
Ann, retired
Recently a brother emailed us, offering, in the light of my wife, Elly's, illness, to give us a Christmas "gift" of one day of service. He mentioned "using him" to help clean the house; but we wrote him back and asked if he'd come over and help us put up our Christmas tree and decorations, which is always a rather arduous task and one in which Elly could not participate because of her recovery from surgery.
Well, knowing this brother closely as a friend, I happened know that he often has problems with his back (disk issues); but I was not going to let him lift anything dangerously heavy. And I simply could not refuse such an offer of GENEROSITY in the face of health risks because he was just following through to fulfill what our Pastor had been teaching from the pulpit. So, he came over and we got all of our Christmas decorations and our tree put out. We had a great Christmas time together with our friend as well, sharing a home-made pizza and watching a football game together as we put ornaments on the tree.
Our Central brother gave us a great Christmas gift of service and showed his generosity juices were flowing freely with the love of Christ. It was most certainly a very personal evidence of Christlike generosity; and we were touched by it. Now we can reflect on our bother's generously given time/efforts as we see the lights shining on our Christmas tree this year. Somehow the tree seems warmer than ever because of his gift to us.
Bill Berry, elder about Don, house parent, teacher
Throughout my childhood my family did not have a lot of money. Yet, to see me reach for my lifelong dream, my parents took out a second mortgage on their house to send me to college. Their sacrifice meant they had no extra money to invest into their own retirement, nor did they have the means to have most of the "niceties" of life. I think of all they could have had - all they could have done. How could they do that - for someone like me? That last sentence sounds remarkably close to the question I have often asked myself about Jesus. I am then left with the question - would I do the same? I think I would. I hope I would. Though my family continues to pay back the monetary debt to my parents, we can never pay back their selfless giving. But maybe the point isn't so much to "pay back", but to "pay forward".
Rich in Germantown
Last Christmas I decided that my family and I had been so blessed that we really needed nothing else so I explained to them I would be giving a gift in their honor to a ministry I really believed in. I asked that they pick a ministry they were interested in and donate the money they would have spent to purchase my Christmas present to bless that ministry. Then they were to give me a Christmas card completed with the name of the ministry for my Christmas present. What a grand time we had opening Christmas cards. What a wonderful feeling to know that we were for the first time really giving gifts to Jesus. It has spread and now we do the same thing for birthdays. My last birthday all of my friends gave me birthday cards explaining their gifts given to ministries of their choice. It was the best birthday I have ever had. We can't outgive the Lord!!!
Martha, widow
The Lord Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive," and for me that truth became a reality on Thanksgiving Day. My aunt, whose husband died suddenly in late October, decided not to make her usual Thanksgiving weekend trip to Baton Rouge to visit her siblings because she felt it was too soon after my uncle's death to leave her sons and grandsons. We decided to celebrate Thanksgiving at our house, so I shopped, planned, and cooked a traditional turkey dinner for my aunt and her family, a member of our small group who has no family here, and my visiting in-laws. Dinner was a success and our family time together was sweet despite our recent loss of Uncle Hamp.
The biggest blessing for me, however, was the opportunity I had to minister to an elderly couple we lived next door to for 14 years prior to our move to Collierville. Bob and Daisy have no family here and since Bob, in his mid-80's, always volunteers to work on Thanksgiving Day so others can be with their families, they were unable to join us for dinner so I offered to take dinner to them. After our family finished eating I slipped away to run this God-appointed errand. I have been burdened for their salvation for many years (we've known them for 20), and while I have never asked directly whether or not they know Jesus, I know that they both were churched in their younger years. Steve and I have openly talked about and lived out our faith before them, on many occasions inviting them to attend church with us. In recent years, they have visited Central on occasion without an invitation, and I have witnessed God at work softening their hearts. On the drive to their home, I prayed about what God would have me say or whether I should simply pray with them.
When I entered their home I saw two hungry people, not just for the food that I had prepared and brought, but for something much more satisfying. We visited a few minutes and before I left, I put my arms around them both and asked if I could pray with them, something I had never done before. I prayed God's blessing not only over the food, but also over them and asked that Jesus would make His love known to them in a special way this Thanksgiving and Christmas. We were not a circle of three in that kitchen, but a circle of four as I felt the very real presence of Christ in our midst. For that moment, we all were standing on holy ground. I sense they felt it too -- both had tears in their eyes when I left and were truly appreciative, not simply for the meal or even my visit, but for the greater gift offered to them -- God's love. I went with the intention of giving to them, but God gave to me a blessing and memory I will always cherish.
Dee Dee, mother of two, administrator
My mom and I have the most amazing opportunity every Monday night to take part in facilitating a Bible Study for women at the Mark Lutrell Women's correctional facility. I almost hesitated in sharing this experience as our "excessive generosity" story because to be quite honest, these women are the ones that are excessively generous to us. Each week when we spend time with these ladies, we are able to really study God's word and dig deep into what He wants to teach each of us. These women have truly learned what it means to cling to Him for every need. They remind us through their stories that we have received such abundant grace and love from our Heavenly Father. They have taught us lessons that we could never have learned without their testimonies of how God is working in their lives. I suppose where our generosity comes in is giving of our time. I would never consider this a sacrifice, though , since we receive as much or more from them as they receive from us. We are truly and deeply blessed to be a part of something so incredible.
Jenny and Sharon, Collierville
My story is of a friend that has given to me the entire 25+ years we have known each other. He was my best man in my wedding, my best friend since we have known each other, and there when I had no one else to turn to with my serious debt situation and deceit towards my family. He encouraged me and told me that the Lord was in control. My friend also told me that his wife and himself would always be there as well. They encouraged and prayed for us constantly throughout the entire recovery and healing of our finances and our marriage.
Now, they have shown up again. With our current debt situation from insurance not covering medical bills I incurred this last summer, they have tried to establish a fund to help with the expenses. My friends statement to me was, "Wouldn't you do it for me? The answer is a definite "yes". He asks for nothing in return because he knows what we are trying to accomplish with our family, finances (the long road we are taking back from our first debt, and now this setback), and our ministry to help others in the area of finances. We are eternally grateful for this Jonathan (Saul's son that helped David) that God has placed in our lives.
His generosity gives us a chance to give in the area of financial ministry, Sunday school leaders, parents and any other area God will use us for.
Mike, trailer sales
My sister modeled excessive generosity when she paid for the food of the people behind her in the fast food drive through. She'd tell the cashier that she wanted to pay for her order and the order behind her -- then she drove away, not expecting any gratitude from those she'd just blessed. I tried this once and it was very exciting. I hope to do it again soon!
Michelle, mother of a two year old, Byhalia
This is a very small thing, but I think it helped illustrate to my daughter the delight in delighting someone else. Our brother and sister-in-law just got married. Since they just paid for a wedding and honeymoon, they had decided not to take on the investment of buying their first Christmas tree and decorations this year. While they were away on their honeymoon, we got them a 6' tree and decorated it with Christmas ornaments from the whole family. It was gorgeous! We turned on the lights a few hours before they got home so they walked into the door to see a lighted Christmas tree in their new living room….one they never expected. We heard the new bride cried with happiness. Hearing about her joy made the project so worthwhile to my family.
Vickie, mother of a pre-teen, Collierville
A friend of mine whose wife recently died had a beloved woman who told her when she first got really sick that she would come to her home and clean every week. They tried to pay her and she wouldn't take it until they finally insisted that unless she let them pay her she could not come. Before my friend's wife died she told him to give this lady a gift of $500. So after she died he sought to comply with his wife's wishes and left an envelope for this friend and helper on the table. But when she left he noticed that the envelope was still there. He called her about it
and she told him her work was a work of love and she wouldn't take it. He finally convinced her to let him give it to a missionary on her behalf. She still comes to clean every other week and he pays her $50. But when he share with her that he was giving his family a different kind of Christmas gift this year, that he was giving sums of money on their behalf to the Forsaken Children Fund (Joe and Karyn Bridges' ministry from Central Church), she donated her $50 to it also.
Randall, Central staff pastor
I want to tell you about a dear friend, Jeana Rogers, who now attends our church with her family. She is a blessing to everyone who knows her. Her life reflects God's love and this is just one way He is using her.
Jeana started a committee called, "In His Service" at Briarcrest Christian Elementary School. Her heart was to have these 350+ children, ages 3 - 10, to reach out to others in the community with a mission project by the end of the school year.
Our 2nd graders, along with our music director,Michael Beyl, visited Carriage Court Assisted Living. The children held the resident's hands as they sat in their wheelchairs and sang to them. They had made turkey magnets to share with them.
Our school also held a book drive and collected 1,708 books for 3 area school's libraries. Our students all made bookmarks and our 4th graders visited Brinkley Heights School, Neighborhood School, and Springdale Mag. The kids took the books they had collected, read to preschoolers - 1st graders, sent each child home with books, played games and sang songs with them.
The next project will be to make birthday bags for the food pantry and MIFA. Each child will bring in an item for the bag (cake mix, icing, balloons, plates, etc.). Our little ones will decorate and assemble the bags.
Each month we have a "Jeans To Help Day" where the students can wear blue jeans to school the last Friday of the month if they bring in $1. Many kids do this with their own money. Many bring more than $1. There is a different recipient each month. Sept. - MIFA, Oct. - breast cancer research, Nov. - Synergy (a Christian based adult rehab for drug/alcohol).
Our kids are growing so much by participating in these outreaches. They are learning that even at their young ages that they can make a difference. They are experiencing the joy that giving brings and they now know that when you give of yourself, you will receive a blessing as well.
I praise God for Jeana and her servant's heart. It is amazing to witness how one voice can effect so many lives when it is used to glorify God.
Karen
Our family is going on a Carnival Cruise next week for 5 days (our first real vacation in four years). On researching possible excursions while in Cozymel and Progreso Yucatan, I stumbled upon the idea of providing supplies to a local food bank or school. I was able to get in contact with a person who could help us make that happen!
Next week we are taking backpacks full of school supplies, toys, and/or money to the local school. A woman will meet us and take us by bus to the actual school where we will meet the teachers and students. We are so excited because we know this is a poor area, and we are so honored to be able to go and help the local people and learn about the culture at the same time. When we booked this cruise, we were only thinking of ourselves and the fun we would have, but now God is giving us the opportunity to help others!
Please pray for us for safety and a blessed time for both us and the local people!
Pat and Tarin and kids
I had but a small part in the excessive generosity story I have to share. I work at Methodist University Hospital. Every year our department has a large Thanksgiving "pot-luck" and exchanges names for "Secret Santa" in December ($25 gift minimum). Two weeks ago one of our co-workers who worked as a patient escort (typically a minimum wage position), passed away unexpectedly of an asthma attack which escalated to a full arrest. She never made it to the hospital and passed away while in route leaving behind her husband and their 5 children. News that she was uninsured with no life insurance quickly spread throughout our department as well as other departments who interacted with this associate.
The suggestion was made for those who were participating in the "Secret Santa" to forego the gift exchange and instead donate the money towards our co-worker's burial. From there the giving snowballed. Departments from all over the hospital raised money in memory of "one of our own". Her widower and their five children were invited to the hospital where he was provided a gift in his wife's and our co-worker's memory.
Most memorable was the time our Director spent with the children and actually had them laughing and dancing! She told the children how well their mother performed at her job and how she was able to touch many patient's lives - just in escorting them to and from hospital based procedures. She encouraged each of the children to share the funniest memory they had of their mother and told them that when they grew up - she hoped they would take pride in their jobs just as their mother did. As associates from all over the hospital visited with this family - children's names, ages and sizes were beginning to be gathered as plans were underway to provide all the children with Christmas toys and clothes.
Jamie, Patient Access Services, Methodist University Hospital
I had an experience with excessive generosity. Back in the year 2005 my father-in-law had a brain tumor. We had to take him to the hospital one day myself, caretaker, and his mother, he was in a wheelchair. We were unable to get him into the car with all three of us trying. We couldn't manage to get him in there because he was unable to help us or even think because the tumor had just taken over at this point. So we looked across the street to our neighbors that were standing outside with their pastor from church. We asked them to help us get him in the car and they were nice enough to come over, pick him up and plac him in the car. We took him to the hospital which sadly to say he never made it back home. He went to be with Jesus not long after being in the hospital. So the neighbors that helped us get him in the car brought food over the day of the funeral. The neighbor next door came over and mowed our yard for us. I thought that our neighbors should EXCESSIVE GENEROSITY when we needed them the most. I can say that we have the best neighbors that we could ask for. We all look after one another and help when we need it. I'm Thankful for them.
The Brock Family
My mother and I went with the groups, yesterday, to deliver the grocery bags to the people of Collierville. When we got to about the 6th house, a lady told us we should go to the house across the street from her – that those people were in real need, both were ill and home-bound. Well, since they weren’t on our “list” we went ahead and finished our street and since we had leftovers, we went to the house the lady had mentioned. Needless to day, that was our BEST house. The lady came to the door and insisted we come inside, so her husband could hear us sing our carole. We all held hands in the den and sang a Christmas carole and prayed for the sweet couple. She said we had made her Christmas. We all melted – it was an awesome experience!
Susan and Sarah
About 4 months ago I was living in a way that I shouldn't have been. I sought the help of someone I didn't know all that well. I told her what was going on in my life at that time. I was sure I wouldn't get much of a response at all. But it was amazing to see how someone knew exactly what I was going through. She could see that I needed someone not only to be a mentor but I also needed a friend. We've gotten to know each other well. She is still there for me to lean on and gives me the best advice that she can. She has shown me what is to be a woman of God and to lean on him. God brought her into my life just when I needed someone the most. I can't even describe our friendship in words. How can you put such an incredible thing into words anyway? I can say this, she will never know just how much she means to me nor how much I am thankful that God allowed her to be apart of my life.
College student, Collierville
