Generosity and the Disciple
It is good to start from a place of meditating on God’s generosity towards us.
In 1 Chronicles 29 David lists all the offerings given for the building of God’s House the Temple. Note in verses 10-13 David praises God for everything that is in the heavens and earth and they are His and belong to Him. That riches, honour and strength come from Him.
Romans 8:32 (AMP) "He who did not spare (even) His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"
The dictionary meaning of generosity is “the quality of being kind and generous”. Linked to it is the meaning of Liberality; the quality of giving or spending freely.
God gives to us generously, freely, holding nothing back. He showed this by sending Jesus to die for us, while we were still at enmity with Him. Paul prays for us believers in Ephesians 3:16 that out of the riches of God’s glory, we may be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in our inner selves.
When we know that we are children of God, adopted by Him, into His family and that He has given us all things, we do not fear loss. When we see God’s grace towards us, we can reflect Jesus by being generous, gracious, kind, forgiving, compassionate towards others.
Jen Wilkin, in her book ‘In His Image’ on the chapter on goodness, says ”We recognise that God gives us good things not so that they might terminate on us, but so that we might steward them on behalf of others….Generosity is the hallmark of those who are determined to be lights in the darkness as children of their heavenly Father”.
Everything we have, everything we are, comes from God. Our money, talents, time, possessions etc. We can be generous with all He has given us.
I feel that being generous and gracious also means being flexible.
Getting PRACTICAL
These are just some ways we can be generous.
We need to ask the Holy Spirit to give us an attitude of grace and compassion, looking out for the welfare of others. Not expecting gratitude but out of our worship to God.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show us the areas we can be generous.
Start with those God has brought us into contact with. Start with ‘The One’.
Be available and intentional with our time. People feel valued when we give them our time. Take time to walk, listen to and encourage. Be intentional by putting it in your diary. Also giving our time to serving in church, like joining serving rotas, in order that others may be blessed.
Be generous with our talents and gifts in serving the church. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to use what God has given you for Him.
Be generous with our money/giving to the church and the poor. Listen to Sunday sermons on generosity and social action, which will help and give ideas and guidelines.
Be prepared to share our homes, cars, other possessions. Be hospitable and inclusive. If we really see that all we have comes from God, we can hold all these things loosely and share them with others with a joyful heart.
Get involved with projects in the community.
For Further Reading/Study
'In His Image' by Jen Wilkin. Particularly the chapter on God Most Good