As counterintuitive as it seems, generosity begins wherever you are. It is important to make generosity a priority.

Generosity won't happen unless you make it a priority. The best way to make giving a priority is to make it the very first check you write every month. Before the mortgage. Before groceries or clothing. Before saving. Whatever the amount, do it first.

What people pray for will tell you more than anything else whether they are locked into the vision and priorities of the church.

Your friends will determine the quality and direction of your life.

My kids think you are always supposed to be in a small group and lead one.

What percentage should you give? I tell people to start with 10 percent because the Bible writers have a lot to say about the tithe, which means, "tenth." For some people, that's extremely uncomfortable. But so is a colonoscopy, and those save countless lives.

Creating breathing room financially may lower your standard of living but raise your quality of life.