A Conversation between The Rev. Charles L. Fischer III and the Rev. Sheleta Fomby

I am blessed to be able to have individuals in my life who are willing to discuss their faith lives. Over the course of my years in ministry, I have met some wonderful people. Recently, I have become acquainted with a powerful preaching sister from Washington, D.C., the Rev. Sheleta E. Fomby. She has become both a friend and a spiritual guide in my life. In a recent conversation, Rev. Fomby and I were discussing how blessed we were in our individual and collective lives. And in a quiet moment, she stated that she lives a great life because she has experienced God’s abundance. “If it were not for that, how could she be generous to others.”

I was intrigued by her comments and asked for her to explain further. She stated that for her there is a distinct difference between abundance and generosity. “Abundance is what God has made available. And generosity is what we do with what God has made available.”

When God created the earth, God deposited upon the earth and gave to its inhabitants all that they would need for survival. God provides more than enough for all to live fully and completely.

Rev. Fomby blessed me with sharing this simple lesson. The more she reflected upon her own life and the lives of those who have poured into her own ministry, I had a moment of understanding the distinction. She was generous in her sharing because of all that others had given to her out of their own abundance. And now the cycle continues because now I can share with others out of the abundance of love, care and prayers that others have showered upon me.

Question for Reflection:

How has God’s abundance formed your generosity?