By Millie L. Kim

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. —1 Timothy 6:18

I have known Richard and Susie for about 10 years now. They are the most generous people I know.  They serve their church with their time, energy, ideas, serving as a trustee (Richard) and an SPRC member (Staff Parish Relations Committee, Susie). They not only give their true tithe but also give to missions above and beyond their regular giving. I wish they were in my church but they live about 100 miles away in the northeast corner of Georgia.  When I visit them every summer, they wait for us in their driveway with open arms, big smiles, and hugs. I believe they prepare for about a week for our one day visit. Not only do they get gourmet meals ready, they clean their house spotless, they put cut flowers everywhere, they prepare gifts for our children, they have a variety of board games ready, they get their boat and dock ready for us, etc.  They receive us with such generosity, we feel like royalty. Every time I visit, I have wondered in my mind, “How did I get to know them?” “What have I done that they treat me like a queen?” “I need more friends like them!”  I also think to myself, “Who am I that they shower me with such generosity?  I must be very special to them! I am so grateful!” Needless to say, they brighten our souls with their generosity,  they elevate us to a new status, and while we are there, we act like royalty, too!

It is amazing how a generous act can lift us up and change us. Have you ever given a gift card to your garbage worker, paid for a military person’s meal, fixed a struggling single mother’s house in disrepair, given money to a homeless person with no second thought, no judgement? I want you to try it and see what it does. We often think that the recipient of generosity is the lucky dog, but generosity blesses all who are involved: giver and the receiver.  But it does not stop there. It transforms the community as well.  I live in a small city in Georgia.  It is a wonderful place to live and raise a family because there are so many generous people.  These are people who give their time, care, and resources freely and frequently for others.  Rome is by no means a wealthy city but it is a city full of generous people, and it makes life easier and brighter for many. 

God commands us to be generous. It is a good and joyful thing to practice generosity, and its benefits are manyfold. Generosity generates life and joy in life.  After knowing Richard and Susie for about 10 years now, instead of thinking, “How did I find them? I need more friends like them!,” I now think, “I want to be like Richard and Susie to others!”

Millie L. Kim is an elder in the United Methodist church and pastors a church in Rome, Georgia. She has been in ministry over 25 years and has worked tirelessly to bring equity and inclusion in the church.