Radical Generosity: Do I Need Two Coats?

"If you have two coats, give one to someone who has none." — Luke 3:11

For a long time, I thought these were the words of Jesus, but I was wrong. They are actually the words of John the Baptist. And he wasn’t speaking to devout followers—he was rebuking a crowd he had just called a brood of vipers. Yet, instead of rejecting his harsh words, they asked, What should we do?

John’s answer was simple but radical—if you have more than you need, give it away.

Many years ago, I led a men’s Bible study at a local diner every Tuesday at 6 AM. There were usually 6-10 of us, and every week, the same older woman took our orders, filled our coffee cups, and served us with a kind smile. One bitterly cold February morning in upstate New York, we were studying Luke 3:11—the very passage about giving your second coat. We asked ourselves:

"Would we really be willing to give up our own comfort for the sake of someone else?" When our server came to clear the plates, I challenged the men: "What if we lived out this lesson right now? What if we gave generously—without hesitation?" We pooled our money and left a $200 tip on an $80 bill.

Minutes later, she returned, cash in hand. "You must have made a mistake," she said. "No mistake," I replied. "We want to bless you."

Tears filled her eyes. "You have no idea how much I needed this today. My husband is disabled. Our trailer’s furnace is broken. This morning, I ran out of kerosene to heat our home. Your gift will keep us warm for the rest of the month."

That day changed me. I had always thought of generosity as something structured and planned. But what I realized was that true generosity is often spontaneous—a response to God’s nudge in the moment. It also made me reflect on how Christians are sometimes the worst examples of generosity.

I’ve spoken with many waitresses, and they all say the worst shift to work is Sunday brunch—when churchgoers flood the restaurant after service. Why?  Because they are rude, demanding, and terrible tippers. We claim to follow a Savior who gave everything—yet we grumble over leaving a 15% tip. What kind of testimony is that?

I want to be the kind of person God uses to meet needs in the moment. I have come to claim 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 as my primary life verse. It says: “Now he who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way SO THAT you can be generous on every occasion…”

So, do I really believe that I can give away the last dollar in my pocket to meet someone’s greater need? Will God truly replenish so that I can be generous on every occasion?

Here’s how I’m trying to live out this kind of generosity:

1. I’m Looking for Opportunities to Give

I now pray daily for opportunities to bless people—whether it’s:

• A waitress working the early shift

• A single mom struggling to pay for groceries

• A checkout person at Walmart or a homeless person on the corner

I try not to overthink it. I try to listen to that small nudge—and act.

2. I’m Trying to Judge Less, Love More

I used to think: Why don’t they have a job? Why didn’t they plan ahead? They should have saved for an emergency. But as a financial advisor, I’ve seen firsthand how even the best-laid plans can collapse. Cancer, a fire, a catastrophic event, a lawsuit, a child who runs into problems, all can derail the best financial plan. We fool ourselves when we blame people for their struggles. Sometimes, bad things happen. And sometimes, God’s solution is generosity.

3. I’m Changing My Mindset

Generosity isn’t just about giving—it’s about having a heart like God’s. I had boxed generosity into neat categories—donating, tithing, and occasional good deeds. But God’s generosity isn’t structured—it’s extravagant, spontaneous, and unlimited. Repentance is about aligning our thinking with God’s ways—and that includes how we give and how we invest.

Here’s my final thought. Radical generosity isn’t about giving from our excess—it’s about responding to God’s call in the moment with whatever resources are immediately available. This might mean giving away resources that you have set aside for your own goals. Are you willing to give up that new set of golf clubs to address someone’s need for help paying their mortgage this month? Would you give away your car to help a single mom who needs a reliable form of transportation to keep her job? Might you forgo a vacation and use the money you would have spent to help a family get moved into a safe home? 

So, the next time you feel that nudge—don’t ignore it.

Ask yourself: Will I be someone God can use to meet a need today? In what area of life do you have more coats than you need? Who needs your coat? Let’s agree to hold lightly, give freely and live generously.