I have always been amazed at the life story of Francis Chan. Chan’s story is one of the most striking modern Christian examples of generosity. He was the founding pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California. Through his bestselling book Crazy Love (2008), Chan became a well-known author and event speaker. His book called Christians to radical devotion and sacrificial living. He then lived out what he preached in a very visible way.
As Cornerstone grew into a megachurch of thousands, Chan and his wife began to feel unsettled. They believed God was calling them to live more simply and give away more. The Chans downsized their home to a house less than half the size of the first. He gave away much of his royalties from Crazy Love—which sold more than 2 million copies—directing proceeds to global missions and charities, including fighting human trafficking and poverty.
Generosity for Chan was not only financial; it was about presence and purpose. In 2010, he stepped down from pastoring Cornerstone. He feared the congregation’s attention was too focused on him rather than Jesus. He later moved his family to San Francisco to live among the poor and serve directly in ministry. In 2020, he served for a year as a missionary in Hong Kong to plant churches.
When asked about his lifestyle changes, Chan put it bluntly: “We think we’re crazy for selling our house and giving away so much. But isn’t it crazier to NOT give more, when God has given us so much?”
Chan didn’t just preach generosity; he restructured his whole life around it. It wasn’t about giving leftovers but about reordering priorities. He continually tied his choices back to scripture, especially the call of Jesus to live radically different from the world. Chan’s generosity is less about one dramatic moment and more about an ongoing lifestyle of surrender—money, comfort, and status offered back to God for the sake of others.
You may not be called to give away tons of money from the sale of your best-selling book or downsize your house. However, we should pause to remember that call to be generous that Chan experienced is a call we should all feel from the scriptures. To be a Christian is to let the story of Jesus transform who you are into someone who gives like He did.
We give because He has given so much to us, and our generosity can point people toward Jesus.
We are called to be generous. Are you ready and willing to give?
Prayer: God, help us be generous with our time, talent, and our treasure. In Jesus’ holy name we pray, Amen.