The Simple Pastor
Simplicity & Generosity
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After having recently visited this school in Pakistan and writing about it, I was contacted by Michael Wakely of Starfish Asia who support the school financially.
Michael is the author of this excellent little book on generosity (my review here) and he generously has given me a few copies to give away. I’ve shamelessly pinched Tim Challies‘ way of handling this giveaway:
“You may only enter the draw once. Simply fill out your name and email address to enter the draw. As soon as the winners have been chosen, all names and addresses will be immediately and permanently erased. Winners will be notified by email. The giveaway closes Saturday at noon.”
I’ll also send a copy to the best comments on how you’ve seen generosity in action.
I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a church pastor, a bookshop owner, a husband, a father, a keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.
Mark Heath said...
1It’s a great little book. My wife & I are friends with his daughter who goes to a nearby newfrontiers church. Coincidentally today we are having cavity wall insulation installed in our house thanks to a generous and completely unexpected gift from some people in our church.
PS don’t add me to the draw since I’ve already read it.
03/4/10 11:46 AM | Comment Link
Tom said...
2Not sure if you meant fill in the name and email address here, or in the “Required” spaces above….I’ve left it there for now…
Anyway,
Generosity in action:
I used to work at a well-known, fast-food sandwich establishment, with some really great workmates. Despite not being Christians, they taught me a lot about a lot of things, including generosity.
One of my workmates had just bought a second-hand guitar and brought it into work one day. Everyone in the store who played guitar had a go during their breaks. It was a real nice guitar and I said I would one day like to get one like it as an upgrade to my guitar – not in any way suggesting I’d have his.
Maybe a few weeks later, he had decided to go travelling and was in his last week at work. I got into work for my shift, went to the back room to put my belongings away and saw the guitar in the sink. There was a note on it saying, “Tom, I have no room for this. You said you wanted one like it, I want you to have it!”
That guitar was a massive blessing, has served me in worship leading in church and really taught me a thing or two about being generous even when we don’t have much.
That someone who’s not a Christian could be more generous than a lot of Christians I know, including myself, really challenged me, and displayed the generosity and grace of God to me.
03/4/10 12:55 PM | Comment Link
Frankerooney said...
3My 5-year-old asked me last week what I do at work. I told him that we at Community Money Advice help people who haven’t got enough money. He immediately emptied his piggy bank of the cash he had saved up to buy himself a comic, gave me the £3.40 and asked me to take it to the office to help the poor people.
03/4/10 9:09 PM | Comment Link
Jason said...
4I presume the name and address goes here?
03/4/10 10:14 PM | Comment Link
Simplepastor said...
5Thanks Jason, yep got your name and email!
03/4/10 10:27 PM | Comment Link