"Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose
everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will
themselves be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25
The pastor who eulogized my mother asked for one word to describe her... without hesitation I said GENEROUS.
Mommy was notorious for giving to individuals and organizations. She
came through in the clutch when people were celebrating special
occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, proms, or going on vacation.
She wouldn't let you out the door without giving you food or money. She
sent gifts in the mail, made cakes, sewed dresses and took people into
her home. GENEROUS means showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time than is strictly necessary or expected; showing kindness toward others.
Psalm 112:4-6 says, "Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever." Because we live in a time when most people are self-interested, selfish and greedy; when we
come across those whose grace-gift is giving, it's an oddity. Being generous does not mean you're wealthy, and generosity expands beyond just giving to the poor. In 2 Corinthians 8:2-4, Paul said this about the Macedonian Church, "They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor.
But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in
rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they
could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free
will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the
gift for the believers in Jerusalem." Generous people have learned to trust God to meet their needs. They believe if they water others, they will be watered again.
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Paul told Timothy to command those that are wealthy in this present world, "...to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm
foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life
that is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:18-19) In this season, I've learned you can't take it with you. The
shrewd manager in Luke 16 was generous with the bills of the clients he
wanted to retain after he'd lost his job, Jesus gave us this
instruction, "Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home." (vs.9)
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1 Timothy 5:8 says that we are to be generous in providing for our relatives when they are in need.
To not do so indicates that we've denied the faith and are worse than
an unbeliever. This does not mean that we have to support able-bodied
people who are not willing to work. However, we are sometimes so
concerned with being taken advantage of, or not being a doormat, that we
will shut our hearts off to those who are truly require help in our
families.
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6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each
of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And
God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all
times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."
10Now he who supplies seed to the sower
and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and
will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You
will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every
occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to
God.
12This service that you perform is not
only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing
in many expressions of thanks to God. 13Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others
will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of
the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and
with everyone else. 14And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
How can you be more generous today?
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