Generosity is the act of giving abundantly.
Giving is often easiest to do when we have more than we know we need in the moment. It can also be easy to share something we don’t want. Sacrificially giving can be a challenge, but all giving should be done in a spirit of love and joy.
Being the receiver of a generous gift can sometimes feel uncomfortable. We might feel unworthy to receive so much or feel that the giver should not part with so much. A humble heart of thanks, though, is the best way to receive such a gift.
Have you taken time lately to remind yourself of how much God has given you? Because we have an independent mindset, it’s good to remember that we are sustained by our creator. We cannot live a moment without God’s goodness, starting with our breath of life. He allows our needs to be met and allows our worth to be in him. He has rescued us from troubles and has given us new mercies each day. As we recognize, with a sense of awe, how generous God is, our hearts are stirred to praise and thank him.
As Psalm 105:2,4 encourage, “Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts… Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” (NIV).
About the redeemed of the LORD, the psalmist says, “Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind” (Psalm 107:8 NIV, letter G for Generous in Follow and Lead). Our God is generous!
In Psalm 107, that stanza is repeated three times following a description of some troubling circumstances of the Israelites. Each time “they cried out to the LORD in their trouble and he delivered (saved) them from their distress” (verses 6,13,19). In each instance God not only rescued them but he followed through with care for them. Such unfailing love and wonderful deeds were reason for them to give thanks to God. Recounting God’s blessings, such as the Israelites did in the reading of this psalm at a yearly festival, centered their minds on God’s goodness and generosity.
What if we made a practice of regularly reminding ourselves of God’s generosity in our own life?
Our God doesn’t just love us, he loves us with an unfailing love that no human can offer!
Our God doesn’t just do the bare minimum, his deeds are wonderful!
Our God loves and provides out of his abundance.
And when we focus on God, our need for him is awakened.
Turn your heart toward God each day as you study his Word using a Heart Training book.