Living Generous in a Global Pandemic預覽

Yesterday, we looked at the lesson of generosity which is one of the things God is impressing upon me during this season of life when the temptation is to look inward, hoard, and keep what you have. However, that is never a wise response for the child of God. We are to live on a higher plane with total trust in God and His Word, knowing full well that not only will God take care of us, he will more than take care of us.

The way to be prosperous is to be generous. You may think that does not make sense, but it does, because it is God’s mathematics. He loves a cheerful giver and is the giver of every good blessing to His children.

From this great text on giving, I glean that you get out of life what you put into it. When you are gracious, generous, and benevolent, you receive in the same measure that you give. Jesus also taught us this principle when He said in Luke 6:38, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. What you give will determine the amount you get back.” However, the opposite is equally true; when you sow little and give as little as you possibly can, then you are the poorer for it. As you give cheerfully, God blesses you with all you need, and then some.

I have been blessed to know some very generous people. It is simply who they are. I asked them if they would share with me their thoughts on our topic, and they graciously agreed to do so. I appreciate them and their wisdom. 

From Matt: “Self-Denial. When one is generous one has to take his eyes off self and take care of others, denying selfish desires.” You may read this and think Matt is a pastor, but actually he is a very successful businessman in Austin.

From Andy: “I am grateful to be able to give, willing to give, happy to give, and blessed to give.” Andy is not only very generous with his material possessions, but also with his time as he invests in many to help build them up and make them better leaders and better people. He coaches a number of successful CEOs and has much wisdom to share. People are blessed by his life, and I am as well. 

From Fred, truly one of the most generous men I have ever met: “Generosity comes from a loving heart. A hard heart can only take. Generosity springs from a person who knows that they have been blessed beyond what is deserved. So, they must give back, hoping to find whom their treasure rightfully belongs to.” 

From Judy: “I have never regretted something I gave away.” That is so true. When you give and demonstrate generosity toward another, it gives you so much joy that you never regret it.

How about you; how generous are you? More on generosity tomorrow!

Prayer:

“God, thank You for being so generous to me and giving Your very best, Your only Son, to be my Lord and Savior. I want to be more like You, Lord. I know that by Your empowering grace, I can give more and be a person of generosity. Forgive me for when I hold back all too often. Help me, please, to bless others in Your name. I know You love a cheerful giver, and I desire to be just that—a cheerful, happy giver to others.”