January Devotions

Generosity in Small Places

Proverbs 11:25 — “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

We often imagine generosity as something big or impressive—writing a large cheque, giving hours of our time, or doing something that makes a noticeable difference. But Scripture reminds us that God notices the small things just as much.

“Whoever refreshes others…” — the Hebrew idea behind refreshing is to give a breath of life, a moment of relief, a cup of cool water to someone weary. It doesn’t take much: a kind word, a brief message, a cup of tea placed in someone’s hand, a moment of listening.

In God’s economy, small generosity has large impact. Little acts create little ripples… that become big refreshment. And the miracle of it is this: as we refresh others, something in us is refreshed too. Generosity enlarges the heart. It opens us to joy. It frees us from the tight-fistedness that steals life from the soul.

Today, God invites you to be faithful in the small places where generosity is possible: the unnoticed corners, the fleeting interactions, the ordinary moments that often pass by without a thought. These are the spaces where heaven quietly breaks in.

A charity worker once told the story of a boy who came daily to their community centre. He came from a difficult home, rarely smiled, and spoke very little. One afternoon, a volunteer noticed the boy sitting alone and quietly placed a biscuit next to him with a simple, “This is for you.”

The boy didn’t respond at first. But the next day he came back to the same volunteer and whispered, “Thank you. No one’s been kind like that before.”

It wasn’t the biscuit that changed him—it was the message behind it: You are seen. You matter.

Years later, that same boy returned as a young man to volunteer, saying, “I’m here because someone once gave me something small… and it made me feel big.”

Small generosity creates large hope.

Generous God,

Thank you that you refresh us daily with grace we do not earn and kindness we do not deserve.

Open my eyes today to the small places where a gentle word, a quiet gift, or a simple kindness can bring life to another.

Make my heart generous in the ordinary moments, and may the refreshing I offer reflect the refreshing You give.

Use even my smallest acts for Your great glory.

Amen.

Practice for Today: A Small Act of Giving

Choose one simple, intentional act of generosity:

• Give someone an unexpected compliment.
• Leave a note of encouragement.
• Make a cup of tea for someone who needs a moment of peace.
• Send a short message of thanks or appreciation.
• Slip a small gift or treat into someone’s hand or pocket.

Let it be small. Let it be quiet. Let it be sincere.

And trust that God will multiply it.