Generosity

I’m reminded to be generous when I remember what it’s like to be broke. I have also seen generous people get taken advantage of. It’s hard to balance between being generous and responsible.  I believe that in some cases generosity has ruined people. They have been given everything and don’t know what work and responsibility is. I’m thinking of wealthy people who give their kids everything.

Someone once said: “Today’s benefits become tomorrow’s expectations.” I want to always err on the side of generosity, but I don’t want to enable bad decisions or bad behavior. I want to be kind and helpful, not selfish and resentful.

The Lord reminded His people about being generous. He references their past because it can give perspective to the present. Check this out…

⁷ “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. ⁸ Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. ⁹ Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. ¹⁰ Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. ¹¹ There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. (Deuteronomy 15:7-11 NLT)

I believe generosity begins in my heart and works its way to my wallet.

I believe generosity should be directed and prompted by the Spirit of God in me.

I believe generous people have an abiding joy.

I believe you can be generous in lots of ways and not many of them require money.

A generous heart is patient, kind and loving. A generous person remembers their own journey to where they are not.

I was reminded of this passage that declares that the Lord loves cheerful givers. Check this out….

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT)

I want to practice generosity daily with my life and the blessings that the Lord has poured out on me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne