Strength of Character - Generous

 GENEROUS

God wants us to be responsible and generous with all He has given us – time, abilities, money, possessions. 

God does not want us to carelessly spend the money and resources we have as soon as we get them, with no thought about what we might need in the future. 

He also wants us to help others even though we might feel our resources are limited.  God wants us to ask for wisdom and seek His will in how we use the resources we have been given.  He promises to bless us when we do. 

And God can give you more blessings than you need, and you will always have plenty of everything. You will have enough to give to every good work. 

2 Corinthians 9:8

It’s God’s heart that we would use not just our finances but also our time and abilities to help others get better and do better at being all God intends for them.

In our self-centered world where we are most often thinking about what we need to do to get ahead, God turns things upside down and encourages us to bless others. 

Give to others, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands—more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.

Luke 6:38

When we become aware of a need, we should ask God what our part might be in meeting that need, and then obey what God says.  As we give to God and to others as God directs, He promises that we will receive back what we have given, abundantly multiplied.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for providing what we need for this day and your promise to always meet our needs as we prayerfully use and share what You have given us. 

Open our eyes today to see needs around us.  Give us the willingness to pause and to ask You what our part is in meeting those needs and then courage and generosity to respond with all that we can give. 

This runs so counter to the fears and insecurities we all carry that we know we will need Your great strength and love to fill us so we can act in that way.  Help us today, we pray.  Amen

Let’s live generously all day long and have a great day doing it.