As we begin 2015, here are some quotes to help us take stock of how we are doing in the area of Christian charity and living a generous lifestyle…

“Why did Jesus put such an emphasis on money and possessions? Because there’s a fundamental connection between our spiritual lives and how we think about and handle money. We may try to divorce our faith and our finances, but God sees them as inseparable.”

—Randy Alcorn

“I judge all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity.”

—John Wesley

“Consider: God expects his stewards to: care for his creation, invest his resources in kingdom work, keep the gospel in our hearts to avoid setting up money and possessions as idols, hold all possessions and wealth with an open hand and give generously to his work and in serving others, be content with what we have and trust him to provide for our every need.”

—Nancy Singer

“When we invest our treasure in something, our heart inevitably follows. We become involved in our investment. We want to know how it’s performing. Our behavior proves that our investments have consequences that directly affect how we live. Our investments are a window into our souls.”

—Don Corley

“What is the chief end of giving? To glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

—Dennis Bakke

“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them.”

—C. S. Lewis

To see the full document on generosity from which all of these quotes are taken, go to our Biblical Generosity booklet.