We cannot expect to be generous people without first being grateful people. When you are filled with gratitude for what God has done in your life, you will overflow with generosity towards others. On the opposite side, if you are full of selfishness, greed will determine your actions. If you are ungrateful, you will expect more for yourself instead of giving to others.
The more grateful you are for who God is and what he does in your life, the more generosity will come naturally. Anyone can give out of duty or obligation—this is not true generosity. Often, this happens when Christians attempt generosity in their own power. They tithe the “right” percent or line up automatic withdrawals to specific ministries or charities. Giving becomes thoughtless. It is possible to give a lot without being truly generous.
Generous people are joyful people. They are not self-righteous or self-absorbed. They claim nothing as their own and hold all things loosely. They are not full of greed nor are they entitled. They are free of the constant striving for more and endless search for contentment in what the world offers.
Generous people don’t wait until they have enough for themselves before freely giving to others. You will not have the ability to be more generous when you have more money, time, or resources. Generosity is not about the amount that you give, but the posture in which you give. It’s the mindset that you have been given so much in God’s grace that you can’t help but freely give in response.
Reflection/Discussion Question: What holds you back from being generous?
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