How to Be Generous

How to Be Generous

how to be generous
Do you know how to be generous? Or are you stingy with time, money or possessions? We are naturally selfish; being generous is foreign to us. We think we will ensure our well-being if we store money or keep stuff. But that’s not how it works. We are not in control of future. We are not in control of happiness. We are not in control of well-being. But blessedly that’s not the end of the story. We are not doomed.

The world of the generous gets larger and larger;
    the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
(Proverbs 11:24, MSG)

Being selfish never brings happiness. Sharing is always better. But even if we want to be generous we don’t quite succeed. We do need help. But help is readily available in Jesus.

There is, at least for me, only one way to be truly generous. It happens when I am truly saturated with Jesus. When I am fully embraced by grace, I can see the world as God sees the world.

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. “Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. (Luke 12:29-34, MSG, emphasis added)

When we open up to Jesus, our hands open to give.
When we are steeped in God, gracious generosity settles in us.

When I am one with God, I understand everything is gift from God. When I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I am sure God will always take care of me. And suddenly – miraculously – I can be generous with my time, money and possessions.

Grace enlarges us.
Grace empowers us.
Grace frees us to be generous.

 

Gracious God,
We are so dependent on you.
Without you are not even really alive.
Without you we are selfish and stingy.
Free us from ourselves.
Free us from sin.
Create in us a new spirit.
Make us more like Jesus.
Make us generous and
show us how to live large.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Are you generous? What is your secret?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you live large in Jesus’ name!

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (Matthew 5:48, MSG)

Image courtesy of Dan Johnson. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Hear it on Sunday, use it on Monday, and counting blessings with Ann Voskamp: #1030 God is generous with us. #1032 Grace empowers us to be generous.

3 thoughts on “How to Be Generous

  1. Great post. You’re speaking God’s language.

    You said, “There is, at least for me, only one way to be truly generous. It happens when I am truly saturated with Jesus. When I am fully embraced by grace, I can see the world as God sees the world.”

    This is dead on-target.

      1. You’re welcome, Mari-Anna. It’s refreshing to see this kind of content. So much Christian content online is so bland and lifeless.

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