One of the ways we can cultivate spiritual growth, and subsequently grow in generosity, is to realize that our entire lives belong to the Lord. In my own experience, I have found that this simple prayer helps me to commit all my life to Christ:
I am no longer my own, but Thine.
Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for Thee or laid aside for Thee,
Exalted for Thee or brought low for Thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to Thy pleasure and disposal.
If you will pray this prayer on a regular basis you will realize that your life is not your own. You will find that you are willing to give more generously and to do things that are a bit risky or that require sacrifice because you know your security is not in your savings account or IRA but in God.”
Adam Hamilton in Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity (Nashville: Abingdon Press) 78; cf. “A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition” in The United Methodist Hymnal (1989) 607.