I have been so amazed recently reading about random acts of generosity and compassion right here in Elbert County. A single mother of two needed a bed and some dishes; another family out of work due to Covid humbly asked for items for their newborn; and yet another plea was answered when a neighbor delivered her own warm homemade pie to a desperate family on Christmas day. Not only were these requests answered with no strings attached, but the thoughtfulness and generosity of those responding was ten-fold what was asked for.
Most of us have experienced the blessings of thoughtful and generous souls at some time. Since I came to EPC, I have personally been blessed by selfless acts of many who have expressed goodwill in various ways; and I have watched this same kind of compassion, generosity and love showered on others – It’s a human wonder that rewards the benefactor and the recipient – it warms our hearts. I am inspired by generous people. Their passion for giving is contagious and encourages me to be more generous, too. H. Jackson Brown Jr. has a wonderful quote: “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”
True generosity comes from love and a heart that wants to give away so that the other person can have. It is a response to what we have received from God and others. It’s a recognition of a genuine need, and it is a statement of what we believe.
Reflecting on the Bible, we can discover a God both gracious and compassionate. God represents the most enlarged heart for generosity in the universe. As we choose to follow Him, He beckons us to follow His example to give because it shows that we recognize He is truly the Lord of our lives. Generosity is a powerful way for us to help people and become more like the ultimate Giver. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17, NIV)
We should live generous lives and look for the opportunities God provides to demonstrate generosity and goodwill for those who have a need. It sometimes takes patience and a giving of ourselves even when we may not think we have the time or the resources; but we can make it our mission – all we need to do is be Jesus to someone by seeing Him in every person we meet. In doing so, we get to reflect His love with no expectation of anything in return; we are lending ourselves and our capabilities as vehicles for the Lord’s work – it changes the recipient's life, and we get to be the ‘Cheerful Giver’ and be blessed.
Cheerful giving is God's grace revealed through us. The Apostle Paul emphasized the idea that gift-giving is a matter of the heart. Our gifts must come from the heart, voluntarily, not reluctantly or from a sense of compulsion.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): 6 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
God blesses us to raise our standard of giving, and that’s where true generosity is found. The author of Chase the Lion challenges us not to settle for half of what God offers when it comes to blessings—we are Blessed to Bless; we flip the blessing, by blessing others in the way God has blessed us. That’s how the blessing becomes a double blessing. It turns giving into a game—one we can’t win because God will always outgive us! It’s an ancient truth found within the Abrahamic covenant: “I will bless you . . . and you will be a blessing.”
Give of yourself, be a cheerful giver for God loves a generous heart!
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