What You Have to Give
Serving with my Leaders of Today team!
More Than Enough
There’s a layer of insulation in my hair right now.
That’s not an exaggeration. The past two days I have helped a friend put insulation in his attic, and it was one of those jobs where halfway through you start questioning every decision you’ve made that led to that exact moment. But here’s the thing: I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Because for Sadie and I, generosity isn’t a “when we have extra” kind of thing. It’s who we’re trying to be, people who are generous with our time, talents, and resources. That same belief sits at the heart of Leaders of Today too. It’s one of our values for a reason. We believe generosity changes communities, and it changes us.
Generous with Time
Time is the hardest thing to give because we all feel like we never have enough of it. Between work, family, and the constant buzz of a world that never slows down, time feels scarce. But that’s exactly why it’s so valuable.
Sometimes generosity looks like crawling around an attic for hours when you could be relaxing. Sometimes it’s staying late to help a student finish a project, or mentoring a high school student through a tough season.
Sometimes it’s as simple as sitting with someone who’s grieving — not fixing, not talking — just being present.
When you give your time, you’re saying, “You matter more than my schedule.”
And I don’t know about you, but the people who have changed my life the most weren’t the ones who bought me things, they were the ones who showed up.
Generous with Talents
Sadie and I talk about this one a lot. We’ve both been blessed with skills. Hers in healthcare, mine definitely not in healthcare, but we believe the gifts we have are not meant to be hoarded.
There are times I get asked to speak to a group of students, and sure, I could charge for it. But if I feel that quiet conviction that says, “Just go, don’t worry about payment,” then I go.
Because God’s economy doesn’t work like ours. He’s not keeping score — He’s multiplying impact.
Being generous with your talents might mean using your musical skills to play at church, tutoring a classmate, or using your photography skills to help a nonprofit tell their story.
You don’t have to be the best, you just have to be willing.
And here’s the thing: maybe you don’t even know what your talents are yet. That’s okay. Give what you have, and you’ll learn what God’s already placed in you along the way.
Generous with Resources
This is the one people usually think of first — money, stuff, things you can touch. But generosity with resources doesn’t always mean writing a big check. Sometimes it’s a hot meal, a tank of gas, or handing your favorite hoodie to someone who needs it more than you.
One of my favorite reminders is this: you don’t have to be rich to be generous, you have to be willing.
But sometimes, we don’t have the money to give. And that’s okay too.
Generosity isn’t measured by the size of the gift, it’s measured by the size of the heart behind it.
Maybe you’re in a season where your wallet’s tight, give your time. Maybe you’re stretched thin on time, give your talents. And if you feel like you don’t have much of either, give your attention. The smallest act, done with a willing heart, still matters deeply.
Giving Without Hesitation
Sadie and I made a promise to each other: when we feel God asking us to give, we don’t hesitate. We just do it.
Sometimes that means giving our time when we’re already busy. Sometimes it means giving financially when things feel tight. But generosity, real generosity, isn’t about comfort, it’s about trust.
And every time we’ve trusted Him in that, He’s shown up. Every. Single. Time.
Living Generously
So how do you start living a life of generosity? It’s not about doing everything at once, it’s about doing something on purpose.
Here are a few ways to start:
• Set a margin of time. Build “interruptible” space into your schedule — a few hours a week you leave open for when someone needs help.
• Use your talents intentionally. Make a list of what you’re good at and find one person or organization that could benefit from it.
• Budget for generosity. Even a small “giving fund” builds the habit of responding when you feel led to help.
• Lead by example. Generosity is contagious. When you live it out, others notice. Your kids, friends, coworkers, students. It changes how they lead too.
• Ask God to open your eyes. Start your day with, “Who can I serve today?” You’ll be amazed how often the answer shows up right in front of you.
The more I practice generosity, the more I realize it’s not about the stuff at all. It’s about people. It’s about trust. And it’s about knowing that giving something small can still mean something big.
Generosity grows leaders. Because when you learn to give — your time, your talents, or your resources — you learn what real influence looks like. It’s not about being in charge; it’s about being available.
Why I Write
I write these posts as part of my own design cycle — to reflect, learn, and grow as a leader, a husband, and a follower of Jesus. My goal isn’t to sound like I have it all figured out, but to share the stories, lessons, and experiments I experiance long the way.
I believe leadership isn’t just about titles or influence — it’s about how we show up every day. It’s the small choices we make, the way we treat people, and the courage to keep trying even when things don’t go as planned.
I also believe we should dream big — to imagine what could be, not just what is. Every great idea, every movement, every changed life starts with someone who believed it was possible. The design cycle gives us a framework to turn those dreams into something real: plan it, build it, reflect on it, and share it.
Through writing, I hope to help people build the confidence to lead right where they are— to think differently, lead boldly, reflect honestly, and keep trying even when it would be easier to quit. My goal is to remind each of us that leadership doesn’t start someday in the future; it starts right where we are. We’re not leaders of tomorrow — we are Leaders of Today. And in everything I do, my hope is to worship Jesus through the way I live, lead, and love others.
Use what you read here to build your own cycle of growth.
Observe. Reflect. Adjust. Share.
Dream big — and then, start again.