Silent Giving, Loud Love

How would you describe your stewardship and generosity when it comes to your wealth?

If you had to rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 10—10 being the most generous and compassionate toward the needy—where would you land?

Man… this one really hits me.

I honestly wrestle with even talking about giving. And I think we all should be cautious there. Jesus said, “Your giving should be done in secret. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4 NCV)

So yeah, I’m not here to brag. That’s not the heart. But I am here to ask some real questions that mess with me—and maybe they’ll stir something in you, too.

“But how terrible it will be for you who are rich, because you have had your easy life.” (Luke 6:24 NCV)

Are you rich?

Honestly… I guess that depends who you’re asking. Some people are living in cardboard shelters, drinking dirty water, and going to bed hungry. Compared to that? Yeah—we’re rich. Most of us are.

But wealth isn’t the only challenge. Love and generosity—that’s the bigger one.

Jesus didn’t lower the bar; He raised it.

“But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are cruel to you.” (Luke 6:27–28 NCV)

Whew. That’s not just a challenge—that’s a whole new standard.

Then He goes even deeper: “Do to others what you would want them to do to you.” (Luke 6:31 NCV)

Think about that. You’d want help if you were in need. You’d want food if you were hungry. Clean water if you were thirsty. Support if you were down. And yeah… the list keeps going.

But we tend to be selective with our love, don’t we?

Yet Jesus said, “If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? Even sinners love the people who love them.” (Luke 6:32 NCV)

That one hits hard. It’s a gut punch.

Jesus keeps pushing us higher:

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin.” (Luke 6:35 NCV)

Love your enemies. For real. That’s the call.

How does that play out in real life? Maybe when we love our enemies, they stop being enemies.

Maybe love flips the script. Love is powerful like that. So is generosity. So is kindness.

And then Jesus wraps it with this:

“Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. Don’t judge others, and you will not be judged. Don’t accuse others of being guilty, and you will not be accused of being guilty. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:36–37 NCV)

Can you even imagine what the world would look like if we truly lived this way?

Holy Spirit—we need your help. Because this kind of love… we don’t pull it off on our own. Holy Spirit, help us. IJNIP ♥️