Some people misunderstand this concept.

Oh, I know that’s not you. My readers are pretty savvy.

The people who misunderstand generous Christian living are from a galaxy far, far away from this URL. They live on a planet where their space and time continuum that I’ll call the internet is slowly catching up. Someday soon, I hope they can learn and master these steps.

Okay. I’ll stop with the tongue-in-cheek comments and get to the point. Most people think generosity depends on how much you make and how much you have. It doesn’t.

You can lead a free and joyful life with more or less.

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Generosity is a mindset that all Christians are called to live by. One of my favorite Bible verses reminds me: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Christian, if you’re not there yet, I pray these four steps will encourage you. I want to inspire you to live with courageous generosity.

1) Start where you are.

Seriously, that’s the only place you can start. Where you are right now is your beginning point. Start here. Don’t wait until you’ve arrived at some ambiguous location described as where I can afford it. If you’ve postponed living generously because you’re waiting until you get to where you can afford it, you might never arrive. You can’t get to the place called generosity from where I can afford it. So start where you are.

2) Use what you have.

Generous living is a shift that begins with creating margin. What if the path to increase is a route that includes giving away some of what you already have? Look around and ask yourself, “do I have more than I need?” Every good thing you have is a gift from God that He has called you to manage well. So use what you have and start the path towards a generous lifestyle. After all, generosity starts with what you have, now what you don’t have.

3) Give God what’s right.

Christian, I’d be a poor Bible student if I didn’t bring this to your attention. God expects you to return His tithes freely. And as soon as you can (today), He expects you to give your offerings freely. These are done to bless you and to support the expansion of His Kingdom in your community and throughout the world. Good intentions are sweet. However, It takes real money to do real ministry. You’re not fully vested in the outcome until you’re fully invested in the process.

4) Live on what’s left.

Don’t use what rightfully belongs to God’s Kingdom work to live on. Many faith-filled believers have found freedom in living off 80-90% of their income. You, too, can refuse to live beyond your means and learn to live beneath them. Don’t spend what you don’t have on things you don’t need to impress others. Read this following sentence slowly and think about it. Always wanting more hurts me, but being thankful helps me enjoy life.

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I’ll wrap up these four steps with a word about contentment. You weren’t born with it. It’s a learned skill. Here’s how you can know when you’re beginning to learn contentment. You’re practicing intentional gratitude, thanking God for what you have. Whether you have more or less, you’re experiencing the joy that Jesus wants you to have.

Christians with a generous lifestyle experience more routine contentment than those who refuse generosity.