Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church is encouraging Christians to be more generous—not only with their earthly possessions, but also with their time, energy, and patience.

At the same time, he wants Christians to show their appreciation to those people who have exhibited their generosity with these things.

"You earn a living by what you make, but you earn the respect and gratitude of others and a legacy and reputation by what you give," he writes on his website.

Warren adds that the most giving people are the most appreciated people. He shares the passage from Philippians 4:10, 14-15 and 18 to prove so. In it, the Apostle Paul said: "How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn't have the chance to help me. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News.... No other church did this. At the moment I have all I need — and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me.... They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God."

Warren says there is no time like the present to show generous people how much their kind acts are appreciated and to emulate their good hearts.

"You can thank them by calling them or writing a note and letting them know how they specifically invested in you and what it has meant in your life. Then, use those people as your model for how to give of yourself and be generous with others," he says.