Highlight: A life of generosity

Generosity is at the heart of the gospel message; it changes the way we live and changes the way we think about money. But we can’t cultivate a life of generosity with a scarcity mindset. Brad Hewitt shares important financial behaviors that lead us away from a mindset of scarcity, towards a mindset of surplus and contentment.

“There’s actually one behavior that is between 20 and 30 times more important than anything else: intentionally living well below your means, regardless of what income level you’re at.”

Looking for opportunities to be generous helps to move your thinking from that mindset of scarcity.

“If you’re always looking up to see who has more, almost everybody can find somebody who’s 25% better off than they are. Normally, when you’re being generous, what ends up happening is you’re looking to people who actually need help. It creates a sense of blessedness; it creates a sense of, ‘I could actually live with less.’ It’s this really fascinating tool that helps us actually accomplish that living below our means.”

In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul affirms that our contentment isn’t based on our circumstances and doesn’t come from material possessions. Our contentment comes from God, who is the source of everything we need.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12

Brad says that our mindset of abundance and contentment will flourish as we continue to live out our Christian walk and practice generosity on a regular basis.

“God is a God of generosity and when we imitate God’s generosity, in our life what we see is the blessings that come.”


Brad Hewitt serves as chief executive officer of Thrivent Financial, the country’s largest fraternal benefit society. A Fortune 500 organization, Thrivent is leading a nationwide movement of Christians and their communities to be wise with money and live generously. He is co-author of  .

Your New Money Mindset