Living Generously

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 

Proverbs 11:25

What does generous living have to do with living successfully?  We live in a self-centered world and that kind of lifestyle typically becomes a person’s way of life without a conscious plan to live otherwise.

Individuals seldom think of God let alone desire to know Him.  They are focused on ourselves and how they might fulfill the need of the moment.  To satisfy their selfish desires, they use whoever or whatever was available, giving little thought to the  impact they might have on another person.

And here comes God telling us that it is the opposite kind of lifestyle that actually satisfies us – the one that gives and the one that lives to refresh others.

Not only does God tell us that’s what successful living looks like but He describes how uncertain riches are and how arrogant it is to hope in wealth rather than in God.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 

1 Timothy 6:17-18

So the question for each of us today is, what will we do with the opportunities and resources we have today?  We don’t have to have $1million to be rich.  We simply need to ask ourselves if we have more than the next person to us in this moment who is in need?

Can we trust God to provide for us if we are generous with others?  It’s not just money we need to be generous with but our time, our attention, our handy-man skills (if we have them – not one of my gifts I’m afraid).  Maybe we could mentor a young person, accompany a senior.  Who needs a word of encouragement?  The list of ways to be generous is endless.

Loving God, give us eyes today, we pray, to see all the resources we have available to us today.  Focus our hearts on Your great love for us through the past, in the present, and surely there for us in the future.  Out of our gratitude to You and trust in what’s ahead, help us to speak and act and give generously today.  Show us how to be wise, of course, but looking for reasons to give rather than reasons to not give.

Help us to refresh others today and trust You to refresh us.  Amen

We have the day before us.  How many people might we be able to give generously to before the day is over?