Kohathite: The One Question That Finally Made Me A Generous Giver (And It’s Not What You Think)

The One Question That Finally Made Me A Generous Giver (And It’s Not What You Think)

The Question That Stopped Me in My Tracks

I used to think generosity was about math.
If I had “extra,” I gave. If I didn’t, I quietly told myself, “Next time, when things are better.”

But then one evening, sitting in a quiet church service, I heard a simple question that shook me out of my calculations:

“What would you want someone to do if it were you?”

Not what’s in my budget? Not what do I have left over? Not how much difference will this small gift really make? But—what if it were me on the other side of the need? What would I hope someone would do?

That question changed everything. Suddenly, giving wasn’t about numbers—it was about empathy. It was about dignity. It was about being human enough to feel someone else’s pain and brave enough to respond.

Why Generosity Is Not Just About Money

When we talk about giving, our minds often go straight to finances. But generosity is so much broader, so much deeper.

Jesus reminds us of this truth.
In Luke 6:38, He says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” Notice, Jesus doesn’t limit giving to money—it’s the giving of mercy, kindness, compassion, presence. What we pour out multiplies in ways we can’t predict.
Proverbs points us to the heart of generosity.
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)
Generosity is not about perfection—it’s about sharing what we already have, whether that’s food, time, encouragement, or resources.
The Psalms remind us of God’s abundance.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)
When we give, we are not emptying ourselves into scarcity. We are participating in the overflowing abundance of God, who promises we will not lack when we trust Him.

The Power of Asking the Right Question

1. Shifting From “Can I Afford This?” to “What Would I Hope For?”

When I stopped asking, “Can I afford this?” and started asking, “What would I hope someone would do if it were me?”—I realized generosity doesn’t wait for comfort. It acts out of compassion.

2. Moving From Transaction to Transformation

Generosity is not a transaction. It’s not about what I give and what they receive—it’s about transformation, on both sides.

The person in need experiences dignity and hope.
The giver experiences freedom from fear and greed.

3. Recognizing That Small Doesn’t Mean Insignificant

We underestimate the impact of small gifts:

A bottle of water to someone thirsty.
A bus pass for someone trying to get to work.
A listening ear for someone who feels invisible.
Like the boy with five loaves and two fish (John 6:9–11), what feels small in our hands becomes abundance in God’s.

Stories of Resilience We Can Learn From

Generosity is not about pity—it’s about honoring resilience.

I’ve met people who, despite living on the margins, still find ways to give: the woman who shares her last sandwich with a friend, the man who offers a smile to everyone passing by, the grandmother who prays daily for neighbors she barely knows.

These acts of generosity remind us that giving is not about having much—it’s about having a heart open enough to share.

Practical Ways to Live Generously

Carry Small Care Packs in Your Car. Granola bars, water bottles, socks—simple items that can offer dignity.
Give Your Time. Volunteer at a food pantry, shelter, or tutoring program. Your presence can be priceless.
Practice Generosity in Daily Life. Pay for someone’s coffee. Share produce from your garden. Offer rides.
Encourage and Bless. Words, prayers, and handwritten notes are gifts people never forget.
Support Faithful Work. When you see someone using their voice, art, or writing to lift up truth and compassion, consider sharing, praying, or supporting their work.

A Gentle Invitation: Walking in Generosity Together

Writing these words is part of my calling—to use stories and Scripture to awaken compassion, highlight dignity, and remind us all of the humanity we share.

If this reflection stirred something in you, here are gentle ways you can join this mission:

Pray for me, and for the people these words are meant to reach.
Share this post with someone who longs to live more generously.
Encourage by sharing your own story of giving—your testimony might inspire another.
Give if you feel led, to help sustain this writing work so it can continue to uplift, challenge, and encourage.

There’s no pressure—only an open invitation. Generosity is not about obligation, but about freedom. Together, we can nurture a culture where giving flows from empathy, not excess.

Final Word

The one question that finally made me a generous giver wasn’t about money at all. It was about humanity: “What would I hope for, if it were me?”

May that question guide you, too. May it soften your heart, open your hands, and help you discover that in giving, we are never emptied—we are always filled.