Generosity: A Life-Changing Habit

My Story

I had to learn generosity.  

Growing up in my family meant living a scarcity mindset.  Hold tight to what you have.  Hoard—protect what you have.  Generous?  Not on the radar.  

Then God led me to scripture (2 Cor. 9:11) which challenged me.  I married a woman who was the most generous person I knew.  I had friends that were so generous, you had to be careful to not say you liked something in casual conversation they had, because they would give it to you. 

So, a few years ago, I asked God to help me become truly generous.  My goal?  Not to be generous because I ought to—I understood that.  But to be generous as a habit, as a plan, not as “I ought to” but as an immediate reaction that was part of me. 

Building a Generous Life

Living a generous life means generosity is part of the daily rhythm of our lives.  

I love what Winston Churchill said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” 

Here’s a definition of generosity I like:  To pour out to others without holding back, fully aware of how God has poured Himself out for me.  

What does a generous life look like?

Generous with our money.  

Generous with encouragement.

Generous with our talents.

Generous with our time and attention.

Generous with forgiveness.

Generous with grace.

Generous with patience.

Generous with love.  

Life Gets in the Way

I am reminded of Paul on those days when I don’t want to answer the phone, I don’t want to read another email, and I don’t want Alta Lynn to ask me to do something.

Paul wrote: “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls…(2 Corinthians 12:15a). 

Paul chose to be generous, to be spent, for the sake of people.  

It is a question I wrestle with some days when things are hectic, scattered, and challenging: Are you willing to be generous, to give, to be poured out to help someone?  

The Call to a Generous Life

We were created in the image of God, and God is generous—a generosity that is clearly seen through the cross, where the love of God was given for all people through Jesus.  We were created for generosity to be part of the regular rhythm of our lives.  

When we walk closely with God, our generosity touches the heart of God and we become what God made us to be.  

My Story Now

Where am I at now with generosity?  I am finding amazing joy in generosity.  Especially when I am reminded about how blessed I am, and how God is so good and giving to me.  

Do I have generosity totally as a pattern in my life?  No.  But it’s closer to being my reality, and I’m still trying to move in the right direction toward generosity as an offering to the Lord and to others. 

“He will make you rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God for your gifts which they receive from us.  For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God’s people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:11-12

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”  Anne Frank