GenerositySample

DAY SEVEN: It’s About You

“Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” — St. Catherine of Siena.

The bible tells us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. How do you treat yourself? The bible also says love your neighbor as yourself. Do you love yourself? Learn to give to yourself. When you give to yourself, you do right by yourself, and you have more to give to other people.

One of the first rules of safety explained by flight attendants is that you must take care of yourself first. You cannot be of any service to anyone during a crisis if you are not taken care of. This is also true with being generous. Before you can become generous to others, you need to learn to be generous to yourself. You are in no position to give financially if your bills are not paid. You are in no position to volunteer if you need rest. You may not be able to inspire and encourage someone if you don’t believe yourself. I can go on and on, but I think you get my point. You have  the permission to be generous to yourself by going on vacations, treating yourself to something, taking time to relax, taking care of your health, sowing into your business, your education, and your dreams. Be generous to yourself by speaking words of kindness, being positive, and perhaps even forgiving yourself for past hurts, decisions, or mistakes. Sometimes it’s ok for it to be all about you.

Daily Reflection

Today is all about you. Think of a time when you’ve put yourself first? Be generous to yourself today. 

Scripture for the day: 

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalms 37:4 

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - Matthew 7:12

The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:31

Prayer

Lord, help me to be more generous. Help me to give freely without seeking something in return. Change my mind and heart and help me be compassionate and more generous like you. Help me to have the strength, courage, and wisdom to share my gifts, talents, money, love, and faith with the world. Amen. 

Now that you’ve completed seven days of being generous, you should feel good about yourself. However, don’t allow the ending of this Bible Plan cause you to stop being generous. The purpose of this Bible Plan is to help you have  a generous spirit and to start you on a pattern of being generous daily. I hope you will continue to have a desire to be generous, and I hope that you will find ways daily to be helpful to someone. Also, don’t forget to take the time to be generous to yourself.

This devotional plan comes from Anthony Murray’s Generosity: 30 Days to Having a Generous Spirit book.