“The generous prosper and are . . refreshed.” Luke 12:21 NLT
“When giving is done generously, the beneficiary is helped; the benefactor is blessed.”
My thoughts today are about “refreshing generosity.”
Everyone loves a generous person. They are almost always cheerful; usually very comfortable with who they are, what they have, and what they are about; great to have as friends; and seem to enjoy life more than most. I don’t think they are generous because they possess those character and personality traits; I think such people have become that way because of their refreshing generosity.
There are a variety of ways to express yourself generously. I think that is most refreshing when it is not expected, and certainly could not have been required. There are both tangible and intangible things that reflect refreshing liberality – a generous attitude, lending a helping hand with practical assistance, a generous lifestyle, available to share your abilities and experience to others whose gifts differ from yours, being generous in your thoughts and words to and about others, expressing generosity through understanding and forgiveness when others fall short of your expectations or even their own, or giving without requirement of recognition or notice. See Matthew 6:1-4 NIV.
Generosity is not about money, not at all about how much you have or how much you give; generosity is all about heart and what is truly important to you. I have been privileged to pastor and to be befriended by so many people who live in such an exemplary and generous way. I realize that my life and ministry have been far more than they could have been without the graciousness of God and the generosity of people given so freely to us.
There probably is someone God has put in your life who right now needs to be refreshed by you. Solomon seems to marvel that, “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV. Giving is not an expense; it is a compounding investment. A generous person always receives more than they gave. When giving is done generously, the beneficiary is helped; the benefactor is blessed. Begin giving; start living!
The Bible teaches you to “put (your) hope in God, who richly provides everything for your enjoyment . . do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share. In this way you will lay up treasure for yourself as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that you may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV. Don’t you love Paul’s phrase, “the life that is truly life”? Ever wonder if generous people know something others don’t? Why don’t you try that today and see? “Excel in the grace of giving . . you will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.” See 2 Corinthians 8:7/9:11
My prayer for you today is to remember you have been refreshed; now refresh others.