Be Generous, But Not Reckless
Generous, Not Reckless: A Faith-Driven Entrepreneur’s Guide to Giving With Wisdom
If you’re a Christian entrepreneur—faith-driven, fueled by Jesus—this one comes up constantly:
How do I live generously as a business owner without being reckless?
Because let’s be honest… as entrepreneurs, we’re thinking about revenue, payroll, growth, stability, and the pressure that comes with carrying responsibility. We want to give. We want to live open-handed. But we also don’t want to look back and think, Why did I do that? or I didn’t think that through.
So let’s talk about it—generosity with wisdom.
Our Family Motto: Faith, Gratitude, and Generosity
My husband and I have a phrase that has become a cornerstone in our home. It’s literally printed on a plaque someone gave me because we say it so often:
Live a life of faith, gratitude, and generosity.
We want our girls to grow up with that as a normal way of life. Not just something we talk about—something we practice.
But Here’s the Tension
The moment you decide you want to be generous, you immediately run into the next question:
Okay… but how do we do this with wisdom?
Start Here: Bring It Before the Lord
I know some people won’t love this answer because it feels obvious, but it matters:
Before you do anything else—bring it before the Lord.
Sometimes God puts something on your heart so clearly that you know. You’re moved. You feel the nudge. You don’t need to overthink it—you just respond.
“Okay, Lord. I hear You.”
Two Different Scenarios
There are really two “giving moments”:
- The clear nudge (you know you’re supposed to do it—don’t talk yourself out of obedience).
- The unclear tension (you’re unsure, asking questions, needing wisdom).
Both require faith. But they’re not the same.
The Heart Check: What’s Under the Question?
If you’re asking things like:
- “How much should I give?”
- “Should I give to this or that?”
- “What’s the right number?”
It’s worth pausing and asking what’s happening underneath that.
Because sometimes—if we’re being honest—we’re trying to find the bare minimum we can give and still feel like we did the “generous” thing.
That might sound harsh, but I’m not pointing fingers. I’ve been there too.
Questions That Will Tell You the Truth
Ask yourself:
- Where am I being selfish?
- Where am I holding on too tightly?
- Am I anxious because I’m trusting my money more than I’m trusting God?
That’s not condemnation—that’s clarity. And clarity is a gift.
How to Give Without Being Taken Advantage Of
Once your heart is in the right place—once you’re genuinely open-handed—the next step is practical:
Do some research.
Because yes, we want to give as the Holy Spirit leads. But we also need to be wise. You can be generous and still do due diligence.
Do Your Due Diligence Before Large Giving
If you’re giving a meaningful amount:
- Verify the organization is reputable
- Understand what your gift is funding
- Check leadership integrity and transparency
- Make sure it aligns with what you can truly stand behind
Relational Equity Matters
For us, when a church or mission organization comes to us and we have relational equity—meaning we know them, trust them, and understand their mission—we’re much more willing to lean in.
But even then, we still consider:
- Where are we already giving?
- What have we committed to?
- Can we allocate for this new opportunity without neglecting other responsibilities?
Can You Be “Too Generous”?
Honestly? I don’t think you can be “too generous” in the way people usually mean it.
Because generosity isn’t about the amount. It’s about the heart posture.
You can be generous by giving the only cash you had in your wallet—whether that was $20 or $100. That’s still generosity.
But You Can Be Unwise
You can be taken advantage of.
You can give without discernment.
You can give emotionally without thinking clearly.
So here’s the balance:
You can’t be too generous… but you can be uninformed.
The Freedom of Open-Handed Living
When you come to the Lord with surrender and say:
“God, whatever You want… I want to be a flow-through.”
Things get exciting.
Because you start noticing opportunities.
Needs begin to surface.
Kingdom-building moments show up in ways you didn’t expect.
And it’s not heavy—it’s freeing.
A Simple Framework: Generous + Wise
Here’s what I want you to remember:
Be Open-Handed, Not Naïve
- Start with the heart: surrender and obedience
- Check your motives: are you clinging too tightly?
- Do the research: verify before large gifts
- Consider your current commitments: generosity needs clarity
- Then give freely: not tight-fisted—informed and joyful
Bottom Line
Yes—you can be generous without being reckless.
Because generosity is a condition of the heart… and wisdom is how you steward it.
Give with love. Give with clarity. Give with discernment.
It’s a beautiful way to build the Kingdom of God.
Want More Faith-Driven Business Tools?
At Overflow Worship, we help Christian entrepreneurs and leaders build businesses that reflect Kingdom values.
Join our free newsletter for practical tools, encouragement, and strategies that help you lead with clarity, peace, and purpose.
Let’s build something that lasts—and blesses others along the way.








