Character Strength Being Generous

 Audio for CHARACTER STRENGTH – BEING 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.  He wants us to give some thought to what we may 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 Him for wisdom in how we are to use the resources we have been given.  He promises to bless us when we do. 

 Remember this: The one who plants few seeds will have a small harvest. But the one who plants a lot will have a big harvest. Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give. 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 9:6-8 ERV)

 Farmers know they need to provide for their families from the crops they grow.  They also need to retain enough seed to plant a new harvest. God wants us to be responsible and generous and promises to give us all we need so we can share with others from the abundance He has given us.

 God expects us to do some planning around what we have and not just do whatever we suddenly feel like doing in the moment.  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 we will receive back what we have given, abundantly multiplied.

 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 ERV)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Thank you for your promise to provide what I need each day.   Please help me to prayerfully use and share with others what You have given me.  Amen