Radical Generosity: I Like Car
I confess that I struggle with generosity. It just doesn’t come easily for me. I have to practice it if I ever hope to be great at it, and I do hope to one day be great at it. (Thank you for giving me a vision for that, Dave Ramsey!)
So with that said, I was struck recently by the story of a woman named Catherine who works at a small bakery in Wichita, Kansas. Catherine is not a wealthy woman, but she is well known to the local patrons who come to see her smile as much as they come to have coffee and a bagel. When Catherine’s car started to break down and need expensive repairs, it was evident that she would need to begin saving for a new car.
It took her a while, but Catherine eventually managed to save up $5000 towards a new car. One day, a regular patron came in and asked how she was coming along on saving up for her car. Catherine casually replied, “Oh, I gave it all away.” Catherine proceeded to explain how she heard about a local widow in need, so Catherine simply gave the widow the $5000 she had been saving for her car.
Someone actually made a video about Catherine’s story, and I wanted to share it with you, then make a couple of observations.
What a powerful story! Catherine’s faith in God’s ability to provide just dumbfounds me, and I want to make an important point about it: Her trust in God’s ability to provide is not at all misplaced. She trusted Him to provide for her, and He did. In a big way. And did you happen to notice her license plate? It says “J JIREH”, or “Jehovah Jireh”, which is Hebrew for “the Lord will provide.”
Catherine’s perspective is so amazing that I think it is worth highlighting some great points she makes in the video about her perspective on giving.
Her Generosity Was Radically Selfless
In the video, Catherine says, “I mean, I cannot give what I don’t have, so I just gave what I had.”
While the actual giving of the $5000 didn’t come so easy, the logic for it apparently did. Her default posture is that of generosity…the only question is what she will be able to give. Amazing.
She Understands That God Owns It All
When she sees her new car, Catherine, through tears, says, ”I knew God had many cars, but I didn’t know he had a new one for me.”
She understands that God owns it all. Just as Psalm 50:10 says, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He also owns the cars on a thousand car lots.
She Gave Because Christ Did
What motivates radical generosity like Catherine’s? Here is how she answers that question: ”We don’t give in order to receive. We give because it is the nature of Jesus Christ. He gave us his life.”
Simply put, it is Jesus Christ’s radical generosity that inspired hers. And Catherine’s generosity inspired others. The story of their generosity inspired me, and now I hope it inspires you, too.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for giving Catherine one of your new cars. Help me to understand radical generosity like hers. Like the widow you saw give everything she had when she tithed in the temple courtyard that day, help me to also understand that you own it all. All I have is yours. While that is true whether I believe it or not, empower me by your Spirit to embrace that truth so that it radically affects my actions. I want to bring you greater glory. Make me a more generous person, Lord. I just want to be like you. In Christ’s name, and for His glory. Amen.
What a blessed story! I am going to share it with my family and friends. We need to be more like Catherine!!!
Thanks, Nancy!
WOW! God is GOOd and faithful, this is a wonderful testimony of her faith in GOD I pray contiunous blessings in her life with other faithful believers blessing her. We dont give to recieve! what a wonderful statement that I as a mother always live by cause we give so much of ourselves to our faimily and all we ask in return is that they are blessed, highly favored of God, walk and live Gods word and know there calling to serve God. I pray God opens doors so that we can contiunue to bless those in need as God directs us.
I love that her attitude is not “oh, I’m a victim of my adverse circumstances.” Instead, she just taking everything as it comes from God and still gives so freely. Her attitude is amazing. Thanks for commenting, Ana.
Oh, what a wretched man I am.
Same conclusion here, John. Thanks for reading!
What a wonderful testimony of God’s faithfulness! I am often not, but He is always faithful!
Thanks, Neil! Great to hear from you, brother! Thanks for reading!
What an awesome story!
Thank you for sharing Hayden
Thanks, Suzanne!
I thank God for both woman. They both have faith
What an awesome testimony of Gods nature being faithfully lived out in someone totally dependent on Him. And of the beauty of being able to recognize its all his and getting to be a vessel of His blessing by not holding on too tightly. Very moving!
My. God. Thank you Father for all the people that I met on the path to be connected to Blueprint to hear a story like this about generosity that only God could provide. Thank you Father and thank you Hayden for sharing this story.
Thanks for reading, Jamal.
I love that story it was beautiful. I was really blessed by it. Thanks. Tori
Thanks for reading, Victoria!
loved this Hayden, thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Tressa!
I’m sitting in a coffee shop reading about Catherine and viewing the video, and tears flowing down my face. Such an awesome example of what it is to be a Christian.
This is an absolutely beautiful demonstration of what happens when a generous spirit listens to the voice of God and trusts in His good and faithful provision. Thank you for sharing this inspirational story!
Body of Christ edified: Check. Hayden, may God continue to bless you for sharing His beauty with us. Very touching, and inspiring story. Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words, Nick. I’m glad to hear this made an impact. Blessings!