God Can Use Your Generosity in Big Ways

On a spring day in 1523, Humphrey Monmouth had a divine encounter that would change his life – and the lives of millions of English speakers all the way to the present day. Monmouth was a successful London cloth merchant, though probably not someone you have heard of. Better known is the young preacher that Monmouth met that day: William Tyndale.

Tyndale made the first English translation of the Bible – an illegal act which led to his martyrdom in 1536. God’s work through Tyndale cannot be overstated. As English speakers read the Bible for the first time in their own language it sparked a Reformation in England and served as the foundation of future English Bible translations. As English-speaking Christians, we are indebted to him for his work translating God’s Word.

What many do not know is that Humphrey Monmouth financed Tyndale’s work. He housed Tyndale during his translation work, paid for his upkeep during his exile, financed the publication of the new English Bible, and used his own ships to smuggle the Bibles into England.

Humphrey is an example of how God can use eternally focused generosity to change the world – a type of Christian John Rinehart calls a Gospel Patron. In his book of the same title, Rinehart highlights two other Gospel Patrons. Rinehart writes, “The aim of this book is to ask and answer two very important questions: First, how has God worked through people to change the world? And second, how do we become those kind of people?”

The Bible itself names several people whose generosity aided the spread of the Gospel:

• • Mary, Joanna, and Susanna – three women who supported Jesus and His Disciples out of their own means (Luke 8:1-3)
  • Priscilla and Aquila – a married couple engaged in business to support the spread of the Gospel by hosting a church in their home, discipling Apollos, and partnering with Paul. (Acts 18 and 1 Corinthians 16)
  • Phoebe – a deacon in the church in Cenchreae whom Paul commends saying “she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.” (Romans 16:1-2)

God has richly blessed us with time, gifts, and resources. When we wisely steward what God has given us, we too have opportunities to make a Kingdom impact. Cassandra Laymon, Beacon Wealth Consultants President, hit on this in her book stating, “Stewardship is about using your time, talents, and treasure to the best of your ability to maximize your impact and blessing in this world.”

Who knows? You may have the opportunity to come alongside the next Tyndale! Even if you don’t change the world, your faithful generosity is seen by God who longs to tell you “Well done, good and faithful servant!” when He greets you in heaven, perhaps accompanied by those whom you have impacted.

Here are a few ideas if you’re looking to grow in your generosity:

• • Pray and ask God to help you grow in this area. God will delight in your request, and He can give you discernment on how to proceed.
  • Be inspired by the generosity of others. Stories like those in the book Gospel Patrons or biographies of others like R.G. LeTourneau can give you inspiration.
  • Seek professional financial advice. Getting good financial advice may help you identify specific ways you can be generous with what God has entrusted you. Beacon Wealth Consultants can help you identify how generosity fits into your overall financial plan.

The fact that I have an English Bible on the desk next to me is a testament to the courage of two men who were willing to be used by God to make a Kingdom impact. William Tyndale used his gifts for study and translation and Humphrey Monmouth generously used his resources. It took a partnership to produce a Bible translation that has impacted millions. Let us pray that we become as courageous and generous with our own gifts and treasures!

Contact us to talk about building generosity into your financial plan!