“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

Christmas has passed and New Year’s is right around the corner. Have you been reflecting on your year? It’s hard not to, especially as we prepare to not only ring in a new year but a whole new decade!

Did this month’s topic get your wheels turning about everything that’s blessed you this year? Isn’t it amazing how far God can bring you in 12 months? Or the events and people He puts in your path that all work together to bring you closer to Him? We often hear from our 4word Mentor Program mentees and our Local Group leaders and members about the amazing community and relationships God has divinely ordained for them that work together for His glory in their lives. What an amazing gift to us to have played a small part in that!

Joyful generosity is a chance for us to pay homage to all that God has done for us. Think of it as a huge “thank you note” to Him. It is something that can be done spontaneously, of course, but there are other times when you should thoughtfully consider how best to use what God gave you that year and pay it forward to others who may need your blessing. As Judy Foley talked about in her blog this month, giving to causes and organizations that you either believe in or that are supporting things you support is a great way to ensure that your generosity is truly God’s plan. What are you passionate about? Whom or what has impacted your life in a big way? Could your support help them continue in 2020?

If you don’t feel like you can be generous this year but want to make it a priority for 2020, Kim King had some expert personal advice on how to plan your yearly giving well, in her blog for us. If you can’t give monetarily this year, you can still volunteer your time and heart! Is there an organization in your community that is looking for volunteers? Could your workplace skills benefit a small nonprofit? Being generous can always go beyond money. God blessed you with skills and abilities that can sometimes mean more to someone than a check.

No matter how you interpreted “joyful generosity” this month, we hope that you feel the itch to be a good steward of your blessings. Everything we have is His, which means we have the amazing privilege to play “gift giver” all year if we want to! Joy breeds joy, so just imagine the impact you could have on your community if you step out in faith and give back what God has given you.

If 4word has impacted your life this year, would you consider “paying it forward” so women like you can be blessed? We have a goal of raising $30,000 by December 31, and there’s a generous match of $25,000, too.

To give your 2019 gift online, text GIVE19 to 95577, or click the button below.