Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

— 2 Corinthians 3:17

Webster defines “liberty” as “the quality or state of being free.” Of course, this begs the question “free from what?” Scripture teaches that the Spirit of the Lord frees us from the tyranny of sin and death. But equally important, we are not only free from something but free to something. And what are we free to do? In a word, we are free to be generous.

We show our generous nature in a variety of ways. Children who care for an elderly parent while raising their own children come to mind. The generous gift of time, when once given, can never be regained. One who puts the needs and well-being of others before their own, without expecting anything in return is called “generous.”

In other words, we are free from being stingy. No need to cling to things of little worth or consequence. No need to hoard things we once thought were important but do little more now than take up space. 

We are free to forgive others when we are wronged, whether they ask for it or not. We are free from the legalistic demands of religious people who have either clamped down on liberty or taken it to the edge of license. We are free to find the balance that God longs for in our lives. 

We are free to build a legacy. Day by day, month by month, year by year we are building our legacy. And we’re building it whether we know it or not. 

During the Great Depression, a small farmer and general store owner in east Tennessee would regularly provide store goods on credit to those in his rural mountain community. Times were hard and he wanted to do all he could to help his neighbors. He was a Deacon at his church and known throughout the area as a quiet, but generous man. Out of his own pocket, he provided food to those in need. He never knew if he would be repaid. I suspect there were times when he wasn’t. That man was my grandfather. He never talked to me about doing any of this. But my mother shared the story with me many years after his passing. He built a legacy of generosity with every step he took as he walked from his home to the small country store he opened each morning.

At UMF, we are fond of saying we help God’s people pay it forward.  We see first-hand the generosity of individuals who create and fund endowments that will benefit their local church in perpetuity. They are building on the foundation laid so long ago by our Lord. A foundation that is true and sturdy. A foundation that will last for all eternity.

Take some time to reflect on the legacy you are building. And in so doing, remind yourself that you are free to be generous.

This article was submitted by Rich Bowlin, CEO of the United Methodist Foundation, Inc. If you would like more information regarding UMF or starting a Legacy Giving program at your church, you can contact Rich at [email protected].