What Giving is All About

I don't know about you, but I often struggle with what it means to live generously. From childhood I have learned that "it is better to give than to receive", and I know that Christians should give of their time and resources to help others. But what does it really look like to put these principles into practice?

I started this blog to share my journey as I wrestle with practical questions about greed and generosity from a Christian perspective. It's been said that the proper way to manage the resources God has given us is to hold them with an open hand. God has entrusted us with time, talents, and money – in varying amounts to various people – and while we have a responsibility to mange those resources wisely, we should not hold tightly onto them. We need to be willing to share what we've been given, or even let it go. It's simple in concept; much harder in practice. I decided to call this blog "Keeping an Open Hand" because that title really captures the struggle I face with keeping my hand open rather than tightly closed.

Perhaps you have asked some of these questions:

• I know I should give, but I don't want to throw my money away. What does it look like to give wisely? 
• How discerning should we be in giving to a need; should we ever refrain from giving because it could be misused (for example, the concern about giving money to a homeless person on the street because it may just be spent on alcohol)?
• There are so many people and organizations asking for money; how do I choose where to give?
• Am I really supposed to give 10% of my income to the church?

I've asked them, too. I don't have all the answers, but God has worked in my life enough for me to know that a spirit of giving is a good thing.