Welcome to day one of 40acts 2026. Whether this is your first time joining us or if you have travelled through Lent with 40acts for many years, I am so glad you are here.
40acts gives us a moment to intentionally respond to the generosity of Jesus’ sacrifice at Easter with small acts of our own, celebrating the joy that grows when we cultivate generous life habits. Last year over 35,000 people took part and we’re expecting many more to join the community this year.
Choose your five
Today’s act simply invites you to choose five people. The 40acts journey will take you to some moments of spontaneous generosity this year – expect the unexpected!
But calculated generosity is also beautiful. Today, invest time in prayer to ask God to help you identify those you can bless during this Lent journey. An act of encouragement or appreciation can be transformational to anyone.
Although I feel the privilege of my role as a CEO, I can also vouch that leadership can at times weigh heavily. There is rarely a simple day and my shortcomings are public.
Recently, a colleague offered a word of encouragement with an offer to pray and it was breath-taking in timing and precision. I’m sure it was a word from God through them and my heart soared. It still comes to mind regularly, weeks later.
So perhaps consider whether there are leaders or solo workers in your life who could make it into your ‘40acts five’, alongside the more obviously isolated or marginalised who would value your support.
Let your mind wander over the ways your life interacts with each person and plan how you can introduce moments of generosity. It might feel simple, but do not underestimate what God can do when you hold specific people before him and open your life to serve them.
A beautiful truth in scripture is that generous actions often reshape the giver as much as the receiver. Paul reminds us of this when he recalls the words of Jesus, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35). Again and again, we discover that when we give, we are the ones who find our hearts enlarged.
New for 2026
For the first time, we’re launching 40acts as a tracker inside the Stewardship Giving Account app. We are delighted to offer this simple way for you to receive each daily act and track your progress throughout Lent. Our hope is that it helps you go deeper, grow in generosity and stay encouraged as we walk this journey together.
We always love to see 40acts in action around the country, so please post your videos, photos and experiences on social media using #40acts so we can see where your 40acts journey has taken you.
As we begin, my prayer is that God meets you in unexpected places, that generosity becomes a joyful habit and that as you choose your five people today, you sense his delight over every small step you will take.
Janie Oliver
CEO, Stewardship
Reflect
‘Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’
Acts 20:32-35
Pray
- Pray for the five people on your list that God would show you how best to bless each one.
- Ask God to make your generosity practical and joyful, like Paul’s example of helping others in need.
- Thank Him that giving isn’t a loss but a blessing that grows as we share His love.
Act
A generosity challenge for you to complete today:
| Think of five people you’d love to bless over the next 40 days. Keep the list somewhere you’ll notice it and pray for opportunities to bless them. If you want to get going today, choose one of those people and give them something small: a book, a plant or a snack. That’s generosity in action. |
About Stewardship
Stewardship helps Christians be the best stewards of the resources God gives them.
We have been working with generous Christians and the ministries they support for over a century. Today, we help over 30,000 donors discover the joy of generosity as they give around £110 million every year to over 12,000 churches, charities and Christian workers. Our professional services also equip, grow and strengthen those ministries so they can create increasing impact for God’s Kingdom.
