Becoming kindness ambassadors through generosity

By Eric Most

Our NCF Rockies team is hosting a screening of the documentary The Power of Small on November 12. The movie follows six people who were unexpectedly given resources to spread generosity in their communities, and we decided to do the same. Each member of our Rockies office received $20 to use in a way that could make a difference, praying that the Lord would guide us to the right opportunities. We wanted to step into the film’s message ourselves and experience firsthand how small acts of kindness can ripple outward.

Here are each of our experiences:

Brielle Crowell, Administrative Coordinator

I stopped at a gas station on the way home from work and noticed a mom and her two little kids sitting on the street corner and immediately felt my heart drawn toward them. I quickly made a loop to come back and parked next to the little family. I asked if I could buy them groceries, and the mom helped me create a list with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, bread, and even some chocolate cereal specifically requested by the kids. I ended up spending more than the $20, but was happy to give what was needed. I likely won’t see them again or truly understand how these groceries helped this family, but I know the Holy Spirit was guiding me to help them in that moment.

Jami Hood, Director of Giver Services

I taped an envelope with $20 to my trash can for the crew who picks up our garbage each week. I included a note thanking them for their hard work and hoping they could treat themselves to a coffee or lunch. I’m not sure if they’ll respond, but this small exercise helped me become more aware of the people around me. All week, I had been looking for opportunities to bless others, especially those who often go unnoticed or unthanked, and the trash crew felt like a meaningful place to start.

Eric Most, President and Relationship Manager

I recently met a new acquaintance for breakfast. He had just come from a small group and had already eaten and paid, and I noticed multiple checks still on the table. Our meeting lasted over an hour and was a wonderful conversation. I didn’t eat during the meal, but I still wanted to take the opportunity to be generous toward the waitstaff. So I left $20 on the table, not knowing who would receive it or what their needs might be, but I prayed that it could meet a need and bring them joy.

Parker Samelson, Relationship Manager

My wife and I decided to anonymously bless a man who has been doing faithful ministry in our town for many years. We slipped the money into an envelope with a hand-written letter and quietly left it in his mailbox. He had made the decision to not ask for money for his ministry and instead placed his trust radically in the Lord’s provision. He has personally impacted me in countless ways over the years, and I hope this gift serves him in a small way.

Opportunities to show care can come in ordinary moments. Even when our actions go unnoticed, small acts of kindness can reflect God’s love. We didn’t always see the outcome, but we could sense the ripple effect that small acts of generosity can have. Seeing others give also inspires more giving; generosity has a way of spreading.

Small acts of generosity can have a lasting impact. Connect with our NCF Rocky Mountains team at rockymountains@ncfgiving.comopens in a new tab to explore ways to put your generosity into action.