On Time, Talent, and Treasure: Living a Generous Life
By Leilani Pecher-Reyes
Generosity—A word that can cause people’s flags to go up. There could be many reasons why that might be the case. Maybe money is tighter during a season of economic uncertainty, or bandwidth is so limited at work, it feels unwise to add something to an already full plate.
As we scramble from one Zoom meeting to the next, with a growing to-do list, we might even dread seeing a new colleague ping us with an email asking us the same questions they have asked once before.
Considering we are in a time that’s constantly competing for our attention, bandwidth, and resources, all signs point to being protective of these very things. What’s the incentive to give our time, talent, and treasure?
Called to be Generous
In moments when we feel drained and protective of our 3 T’s (Time, Talent, and Treasure), we can reflect on the wisdom shared in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 11:25 states that “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Let that verse sink in for a moment. God allows us to experience blessings when we bless others.
So, how do we live this type of life? Well, we have the ultimate example–the life of Jesus.
Despite limited time to complete His mission to save the entire world, He lived a life of extreme generosity by sharing His time, talent, and treasure with others. Wow…talk about a lot to do and limited time to get it done.
Blessing Others with Time
I like to reflect on how Jesus was always on his way somewhere, but then all of a sudden, he gets interrupted! In Silicon Valley, this would be felt as an inconvenience. We might even let somebody know that we’re heading somewhere and can’t stay to talk.
But Jesus did the opposite.
There were numerous times that Jesus was on a mission to get something done, and then out of nowhere, somebody approaches Him (Matthew 1:40-41) and seeks out His healing (Luke 8:43-48). Despite having someplace to be, Jesus approached these interactions with generosity, compassion, and grace.
As human beings, we won’t always get things right or be perfect like Jesus. But we can strive to be generous with our time while looking to Jesus as the role model for this kind of living.
Next time you’re at work, and a new colleague needs a mentor or someone to help with their questions, be that generous person. Bless them with your time.
Blessing Others through Talents
Sometimes we might feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to bless others with our talents. Whether it’s through mentorship or compassion, there’s no limit to the gifts and talents that can be used to bless others.
Jesus offered His gifts in each space and community He was in. Whether He was raising a loved one from the dead (Matthew 9:23-25) or caring for someone that society would condemn (John 8:1-11), He always made it a point to share with others, especially with the downtrodden, sick, and brokenhearted.
In times when you are unsure how you can show up with others, consider using the special gifts and talents that God has given you.
Blessing Others with Treasure
In a place as expensive as Silicon Valley and during a time of economic uncertainty, our survival mode might kick in with our finances. We might feel pressured to buckle down and be slightly less generous.
But Jesus teaches us to be countercultural. We are called to be generous, despite our circumstances.
In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus shared the example of the widow with two mites. Jesus explained that the widow gave more than the wealthy did because she gave her entire livelihood.
If you are reading this and you are financially comfortable, this is not to make you feel guilty about your abundance. This scripture does, however, point to Jesus’s teaching that He wills for us to be abundantly generous, and really, it’s all about our heart’s positioning (Matthew 6:21).
Jesus provided an incredible treasure with His gift of salvation to the world. What an incredibly generous Savior and role model that we have.
Sharing Your Time, Talent, or Treasure
As you live out your day-to-day, where do you believe God has called you to be more generous, despite the circumstances?
In thoughtful and prayerful consideration, let the Holy Spirit guide you in the specific direction of generosity. If you are unsure of which area to be more generous in, reflect on which of the 3 T’s you’re particularly more protective of.
God is after our hearts. He calls us to be transformed through generosity, and we become even more blessed because of it. When we’re feeling unmotivated or unsure of how to be more generous, we can observe the life of Jesus as our guiding post.
May you be blessed on this lifelong journey of generosity!
Leilani Pecher-Reyes is the Communications & Engagement Manager at Faith, Work & Tech. She has led volunteer and ERG engagement at institutions such as Stanford University. Leilani is pursuing an M.S. in Organizational Leadership at the University of Colorado Boulder.