Have you ever found yourself thinking, I’ll be generous… someday? Someday, when things are easier. Someday, when the finances feel safer. Someday, when you feel ready.
I’ve noticed something, though: “someday” has a sneaky way of never showing up. Waiting for the ideal circumstances often keeps us from discovering how much God can grow our faith—and our joy—right here, right now.
I remember a conversation I had last year with a brother in Christ who genuinely loves God and desires to honor Him. In the middle of our conversation, he said something that made me cringe.
He and his wife desired to support missions and be involved in God’s work, but they felt they could not, at least not yet. He explained how they were waiting for a future season when they would finally have enough, believing that once that day came, generosity would be easier. Only then, they thought, would they give.
Waiting for a “better day” to give risks missing the point entirely. Giving is not about having extra—it’s about trust. When we give in the middle of our own limitations, something shifts inside us. We begin to see our resources differently, noticing where we’ve been holding back or misusing what we have. Somehow, stepping out in faith in moments of scarcity opens our eyes to God and what we’ve been given.
Here’s something surprising at first: giving when it feels impossible doesn't just stretch our faith a little; it changes us for the better in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Sometimes, without even realizing it, we learn to manage what is already in our hands more wisely. Generosity is not about having plenty; it is about trusting God with what we have already. In those risky, even painful moments of giving, we find how to live more richly on less, to stretch our resources with joy, and to see God multiply what seems small into far more than we could do alone.
Think about the Christians in Macedonia. They were new followers of Christ, living in extreme poverty, yet Paul says they gave “out of the abundance of their poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:2). They were rich—not in money, but in joy, in love, and in hearts devoted to Jesus. They trusted God with what little they had, and in doing so, showed that generosity flows from faith, not wealth. Even a small offering, when surrendered to God, can have an extraordinary impact.
So why give today, when it hurts, even when it feels like we barely have enough? Because generosity changes us. It builds character, deepens trust in God, and teaches us to see money rightly. Too often, we spend on things that leave us empty and miss the opportunity to steward what God gives. Even a small gift imparts wisdom, reveals God’s faithfulness, and reminds us that generosity is not about having more—it’s about trusting God as we use what we have.
I have seen this in various people’s lives. One brother’s testimony from the northern parts of America has inspired me to be a more faithful giver. Years ago, during financial struggles, he chose to trust God more deliberately and began giving more than 10% of his income.
Over the years, he steadily increased his giving, even when each step seemed impossible. Again and again, he saw God provide in unexpected ways—sustaining him each month. Eventually, he reached a point where he was giving 90% of his income and living simply on the remaining 10%. Still, God supplied all he needed.
Through that trust and persistence, he has supported missionaries around the world and discovered something powerful: giving in faith does not drain you—it grows you. The seed of faith he planted in hardship blossomed into a harvest—for himself, for others, and for the work of God.
In the years of running my ministry, I have heard sincere, well-meaning people say, “Once things settle down, I’ll give,” or “When God blesses me more, then I’ll help.” Yet, more often than not, that future generosity rarely arrives.
I remember one woman in particular, who spoke for years about her desire to give to Mission Frontier, even saying—half-joking, half-hopeful—that if God ever blessed her financially, she would give generously. In time, God did bless her. Her circumstances changed in wonderful ways she never expected: she came into a large financial windfall. She moved into a new home, bought a new car, and enjoyed comforts that had once felt far out of reach.
Yet, generosity never became part of that new season. I never brought it up with her—it wasn’t my place. Still, I found myself quietly wondering how easily intentions can fade when waiting turns into having, and how often promises made in hardship vanish once the hardship passes.
I do not share this to shame anyone. This is simply something I have learned over and over: Today is the day to give. Not when things feel safe or certain. Today is the day to trust
God, to stretch our faith and find the joy of generosity. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, but today is. And what we choose to do with it can shape more than just our finances—it can shape our hearts.
Like anyone in mission work, I could share countless stories, but here’s the heart of it: Life is unpredictable, and waiting often keeps us from stepping into God’s work. There’s an old hymn that says it best: Little is much when God is in it.
Over the years, most of the support I’ve witnessed sustaining the ministry has come from ordinary people who don't have much but faithfully give $10, $25, or $50 a month. God uses each small gift and does something incredible with it. That money has brought souls to Christ, encouraged people they’ll never meet on this side of Heaven, and sustained ongoing ministry. In eternity, the rewards are just as real—the faithfulness of those gifts will have built treasures that last forever.
Here’s the heart of it: giving is meant to be joyful. When Paul tells us to give “cheerfully” (2 Corinthians 9:7), the word suggests hilarious joy—not laughter at a joke, but a gladness from deep within that rises when we can hardly believe what God is doing. It is the laughter of trusting God to make a way, even when it seems impossible.
Giving is not a burden; it is a delight. It’s the kind of joy that sinks deep into our bowels, knowing God is at work—not only through what we give, but through us as we step out in faith. Yes, it may cost us now, but the blessings go far beyond what we can imagine, transforming our hearts and strengthening our faith to join in something bigger than ourselves.
That’s the invitation of generosity—not pressure or guilt, but the wonderful joy of trusting God and discovering His faithfulness. The question may not be how much or when, but whether we’re willing to trust Him with what is already in our hands—not tomorrow or someday, but today. Little is much when God is in it. When generosity flows from faith, not fear, it becomes a joy, not a burden.
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I’ve noticed something, though: “someday” has a sneaky way of never showing up. Waiting for the ideal circumstances often keeps us from discovering how much God can grow our faith—and our joy—right here, right now.
I remember a conversation I had last year with a brother in Christ who genuinely loves God and desires to honor Him. In the middle of our conversation, he said something that made me cringe.
He and his wife desired to support missions and be involved in God’s work, but they felt they could not, at least not yet. He explained how they were waiting for a future season when they would finally have enough, believing that once that day came, generosity would be easier. Only then, they thought, would they give.
Waiting for a “better day” to give risks missing the point entirely. Giving is not about having extra—it’s about trust. When we give in the middle of our own limitations, something shifts inside us. We begin to see our resources differently, noticing where we’ve been holding back or misusing what we have. Somehow, stepping out in faith in moments of scarcity opens our eyes to God and what we’ve been given.
Here’s something surprising at first: giving when it feels impossible doesn't just stretch our faith a little; it changes us for the better in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Sometimes, without even realizing it, we learn to manage what is already in our hands more wisely. Generosity is not about having plenty; it is about trusting God with what we have already. In those risky, even painful moments of giving, we find how to live more richly on less, to stretch our resources with joy, and to see God multiply what seems small into far more than we could do alone.
Think about the Christians in Macedonia. They were new followers of Christ, living in extreme poverty, yet Paul says they gave “out of the abundance of their poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:2). They were rich—not in money, but in joy, in love, and in hearts devoted to Jesus. They trusted God with what little they had, and in doing so, showed that generosity flows from faith, not wealth. Even a small offering, when surrendered to God, can have an extraordinary impact.
So why give today, when it hurts, even when it feels like we barely have enough? Because generosity changes us. It builds character, deepens trust in God, and teaches us to see money rightly. Too often, we spend on things that leave us empty and miss the opportunity to steward what God gives. Even a small gift imparts wisdom, reveals God’s faithfulness, and reminds us that generosity is not about having more—it’s about trusting God as we use what we have.
I have seen this in various people’s lives. One brother’s testimony from the northern parts of America has inspired me to be a more faithful giver. Years ago, during financial struggles, he chose to trust God more deliberately and began giving more than 10% of his income.
Over the years, he steadily increased his giving, even when each step seemed impossible. Again and again, he saw God provide in unexpected ways—sustaining him each month. Eventually, he reached a point where he was giving 90% of his income and living simply on the remaining 10%. Still, God supplied all he needed.
Through that trust and persistence, he has supported missionaries around the world and discovered something powerful: giving in faith does not drain you—it grows you. The seed of faith he planted in hardship blossomed into a harvest—for himself, for others, and for the work of God.
In the years of running my ministry, I have heard sincere, well-meaning people say, “Once things settle down, I’ll give,” or “When God blesses me more, then I’ll help.” Yet, more often than not, that future generosity rarely arrives.
I remember one woman in particular, who spoke for years about her desire to give to Mission Frontier, even saying—half-joking, half-hopeful—that if God ever blessed her financially, she would give generously. In time, God did bless her. Her circumstances changed in wonderful ways she never expected: she came into a large financial windfall. She moved into a new home, bought a new car, and enjoyed comforts that had once felt far out of reach.
Yet, generosity never became part of that new season. I never brought it up with her—it wasn’t my place. Still, I found myself quietly wondering how easily intentions can fade when waiting turns into having, and how often promises made in hardship vanish once the hardship passes.
I do not share this to shame anyone. This is simply something I have learned over and over: Today is the day to give. Not when things feel safe or certain. Today is the day to trust
God, to stretch our faith and find the joy of generosity. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, but today is. And what we choose to do with it can shape more than just our finances—it can shape our hearts.
Like anyone in mission work, I could share countless stories, but here’s the heart of it: Life is unpredictable, and waiting often keeps us from stepping into God’s work. There’s an old hymn that says it best: Little is much when God is in it.
Over the years, most of the support I’ve witnessed sustaining the ministry has come from ordinary people who don't have much but faithfully give $10, $25, or $50 a month. God uses each small gift and does something incredible with it. That money has brought souls to Christ, encouraged people they’ll never meet on this side of Heaven, and sustained ongoing ministry. In eternity, the rewards are just as real—the faithfulness of those gifts will have built treasures that last forever.
Here’s the heart of it: giving is meant to be joyful. When Paul tells us to give “cheerfully” (2 Corinthians 9:7), the word suggests hilarious joy—not laughter at a joke, but a gladness from deep within that rises when we can hardly believe what God is doing. It is the laughter of trusting God to make a way, even when it seems impossible.
Giving is not a burden; it is a delight. It’s the kind of joy that sinks deep into our bowels, knowing God is at work—not only through what we give, but through us as we step out in faith. Yes, it may cost us now, but the blessings go far beyond what we can imagine, transforming our hearts and strengthening our faith to join in something bigger than ourselves.
That’s the invitation of generosity—not pressure or guilt, but the wonderful joy of trusting God and discovering His faithfulness. The question may not be how much or when, but whether we’re willing to trust Him with what is already in our hands—not tomorrow or someday, but today. Little is much when God is in it. When generosity flows from faith, not fear, it becomes a joy, not a burden.
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