GENEROSITY

Proverbs 11:25

The generous soul will be made rich, and be who waters will also be watered himself. Proverbs 11:25, NKJV

One of the greatest traits any of us can be known for is generosity. For believers in Jesus, our generosity should be patterned after God's. When we stop and think about just how generous God has been to us, it will truly amaze us. Romans 8:32 gives us a great understanding of God's generosity to us. It reads, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (NIV).

So why is it that we often struggle with being generous to others? Is it related to our fear of not having enough? The logic of withholding from others goes like this: I am afraid I do not have enough, so I cannot afford to be as generous as I would like to be. God's Word challenges us in this faulty logic. In fact, in Proverbs 11:25 we learn that when we are generous, God will see to it that we will have enough to begin being generous. The real question is simply this: When will we choose to be generous with others with what we have?

If we take God at His Word, the sooner we start, the better. Yes, generosity is the ultimate win-win. Not only will others be refreshed in receiving a gift motivated by love, but we will also be refreshed in the joy of giving and being used by God in this way. So whom is God leading you to be generous toward today? One way to determine this is to ask God to bring someone to mind who needs to be refreshed. When we sense a need along these lines, it will bring us great satisfaction to stop withholding, and to start being generous.

Being generous doesn't have to take a lot of money; it's just about getting out of ourselves and the pursuit of stuff and into being a blessing to other people around us. So today, ask God for ways that you can be generous. Let me caution you, however, that becoming generous can become a contagious activity for all who give it a try.

As we are generous like God, we trust that He will in turn make sure we are blessed and refreshed in the ways that will draw us more and more into His character and more able to help others in the future!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for waking us up and setting us on our journey today. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be our family's portion today. Lord, we thank You for all the great examples of generosity that have graced our lives. Lord, whether rich or poor, these conduits of Your grace have taught us that we too, can be more like You in this way. Lord, bless us with trust and faith as we seek to be more generous with others with our grace, forgiveness, finances, encouragement, and time.

Father, we love You. Amen.