Unlocking Generosity

How to Make Every Season a Season of Gratitude and

Selfless Giving

Has someone’s generosity touched you? Were you flat broke, not knowing how you could buy groceries or put gas in your car to get to work? Then, out of nowhere, someone at church gave you some money to bless you. Or you went to your mailbox to get your mail, and you opened an envelope that mysteriously contained a check from a friend with a kind note? That is the blessing of generosity.

Maybe, instead of money, you have been touched by someone generously giving his or her time. Maybe you’ve been isolated and have had no means to get out of the house to get what you need, but generous neighbors or friends have taken it upon themselves to grocery shop for you and deliver the food to your door during the entire time you have been sick. The second key to unleashing extraordinary kindness involves unlocking generosity in your life.

It is obvious that we all love to be on the receiving end of generosity, but do we also live a life of generously giving to others? Today, we will explore how to be generous with finances, time, and hospitality. Being a good steward of your finances unleashes your ability to be generous, which in turn increases and releases your potential power for kindness.

I especially want you to understand God’s economy—that when you practice generosity, God multiplies your efforts and your money in ways you can’t comprehend. When you become a giver, you will grasp and celebrate the principle, “It’s better to give than receive.”

Generosity takes on many personas—gifting your money, giving your time, and showering others with lavish grace, to name a few. But in all ways, unlocking your generosity serves as a healing balm in the lives you touch. It’s a kindness that keeps on giving. In our society today, everyone needs a touch of generosity.

I love my favorite restaurants and going out of my way to bless the servers who wait at my table. But it’s not just about giving a good tip for extending generosity. It’s about taking the time to know your waiter, waitress, or barista’s name. It’s also about showing a generous amount of grace when they get your order wrong, when they are having a difficult day, or when your order is taking an exceptionally long time to arrive.

When you unlock generosity in this way, your kindness shows through. Instead of looking grouchy, perhaps you smile and tell them, “No worries,” when your order is late or just not right. Showing patience, kindness, a smile, or calling them by their name goes a long way to encourage and brighten their day.

I learned years ago that if you hold everything you have in open hands to God, He will use your resources to help others and refill your hands, often to overflowing. But if you hold tightly to your possessions, your money, and everything you “own”—not allowing God access—He won’t bless your life. The reality is that God owns everything you have, not you.

So, bearing all of this in mind, I encourage you to open your hand and use your resources to help others: charities, organizations, and churches. Pray about how you can stretch your faith and increase your giving muscle, spreading kindness to all you come across.