The most amazing people I have met in my journey through life have been generous people. Generosity has changed my life in so many ways; I can’t even begin to explain. If you have been the recipient of someone’s generosity, you will understand what I am saying. And if you are a generous person, you know the incredible power of generosity.
According to dictionary.com, generosity is the “willingness and liberality in giving away one’s money, time, etc.; magnanimity; freedom from pettiness in character and mind; a generous act and abundance; plenty”.
The Power of Generosity for You and Others
Generosity is a way of life, not an act. Someone asked me not long ago about giving to the church, “why should I give? I give and give, but I have never seen anything from it”.
Many of us give to receive. However, that is missing the heart of generosity. As we read in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
A generous person does not expect anything in return because it flows from a heart of love and gratitude toward God, who abundantly gives us everything.
Note well; it is like a river; it doesn’t feel obligated and is not stressed; it doesn’t focus on something going out, it doesn’t think about the receiver, it just flows freely and abundantly. And as it flows like a river, it waters everything in its path, bringing life, and hope to those who receive and a happy, healthy and hopeful heart to the one who gives.
I learned that generosity is addictive, contagious, and above all things, it is the heart of God. Showing generosity is walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who not only taught us how to give freely but ultimately gave Himself for the redemption of our sins. Paul reminds us in Acts 20:35b: “….and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive“.
Be blessed and be generous!
Mareli
