Have You Practiced Generosity Lately?

Has illness made you more generous in some ways since you know the value of someone who cares? Karlton shares.

“I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

When I was a boy I watched my great-uncle play guitar while we were visiting down south. I mentioned that someday I would like to learn to play the guitar, and to my surprise he gave me the beautiful guitar he had been playing.

I never became a great guitarist, but I learned a valuable lesson about generosity from my great-uncle. His kindness and generosity in his act of giving away something he prized gave me the desire to also be giving and generous, to make someone else feel the way he made me feel with his gift to me.

Having serious illnesses can make us think frequently about the reality that “we can’t take it with us.” Our mortality often stares us in the face as we deal with one crisis after another with our health. It is useless to endlessly store up possessions that we cannot take with us to heaven. This reality can make us mindful to share what we do have with others, and give away things that will greatly bless others.

God has been so good to us by giving us so much. We are practicing the kindness of our Father when we generously give to others and share some of the blessings that come from above. Giving is a wonderful thing, and showing our kindness in tangible ways is always a good practice for the Christian.

Sometimes we fill our lives up with stuff to forget that we are mortal and everything down here is intangible. Yet when we give and share the blessings God first gave to us, we are teaching others that is indeed a blessing to give as well as receive.

Prayer: Dear Lord, everything we have is by Your hand. Help us to always be grateful, and also to be generous with everything You have given us. Amen.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. God has been good to him throughout his life, and he will not forget the many blessings his Father has sent his way.

Have you been generous with the blessings God has given you? Why not look for an opportunity to bless someone today?

This is Jason Gray singing “With Every Act of Love.” Do something kind today. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive, just do something to encourage someone else and bring glory to God. -Lisa