Generosity

Generosity does not come naturally for most people.  I struggle with being generous and then I struggle with the guilt I feel because I failed so miserably.  I am more generous than I used to be but still not as generous as I should be.  It helps to remember that all we own, everything, belongs to God.  We don’t really own it at all.  We are just the earthly managers of the blessings that God in His goodness gives us.  Our family, home, job, health, wealth as well as our freedom belong to God.  “Some people give much but get back even more.  Others don’t give what they should and end up poor.  Whoever gives to others will get richer; those who help others will themselves be helped.”  Proverbs 11:25-25

Jesus lived a generous life.  Everything about Him was giving and loving and kind.  He loved us so much that He laid His life down so that you and I might live with Him for eternity.  He is our example.  “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him”?  1 John 3:16-17

We have the greatest example of generosity to live by, Jesus Christ. We might not have to die for our brother (because we live in America) but showing kindness to a stranger, going to visit a friend in the hospital or a loved one in jail is the least we can do for our Savior.  He paid the ultimate price and it is up to us to share with the world this great love. 

Where are you on the journey to generous living?  Is your motive pure?  Is God pleased with how you show His love to the world?  I am a work in progress.  Some days I think God is pleased and other days I just have to pray for forgiveness and direction.  I pray that as each day passes I will become more like Jesus and less like myself so that when I do see Him face to face He will say to me “Well done, My good and faithful servant”. 

But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus -- the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.  Acts 20:24