The World of the Generous

"The world of the generous gets larger and larger;
the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller" Proverbs 11:24

Hello and welcome to another musing on life, the universe and, well, everything!

When I use the word "generous" what springs to mind?

Do you think of a certain relative that's no longer with you who was always giving you treats? Or maybe you just think of "helping people", which is generosity in its most basic form.

Either way, there are many connotations that come into effect the moment that you start considering about what it means to be generous...

The World of the Generous

Just for a moment let's take a look at what generosity means and we will see where we go from there, okay?

Let's see, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary, "generosity" is listed as follows: -

"The quality of being kind, understanding, and not selfish : the quality of being generous; especially : willingness to give money and other valuable things to others."

Now what's that saying regarding generosity? It's not just about giving to those who have not when you have an abundance, is it? There's so much more at work than we first thought, isn't there?

What if it means doing something for someone just because you can, not because you expect to get something back in return? What then of our natures? Should we be looking out for ourselves all the time, or should we be looking just a bit further afield than the four walls of our own lives?

Our lives can be as high as an impassible rampart that we want no one anywhere near, or they can be as transparent as the most refined crystal. It's up to us to make our decision which side of the fence we're going to work from and then get to it.

It's interesting that Merriam-Webster should consider a "willingness to give money and other valuable things" as a facet of generosity, when there's more to it than that. Put simply, you can give your time, or your effort to help someone in need. All that is asked of us is that we show a bit of willingness to step outside of the box once in a while to show that we are those arms reaching out to those that need it most.

In response to this, not only do we know that we are directly taking action to meet a need, we can rest assured that as the saying goes we may just "get our wings when we get to heaven", lol! ;)

But love ye your enemies, and do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest; for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:35 (NIV)

It's certainly a challenge, isn't it? Especially when we have needs of our own, but that too is taken into account around three verses later: -

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Let me take it to The Message version to illustrate my point further and to its fullest: -

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Luke 6:38 (MSG)

There you go!

"Generosity begets generosity", that is what I'm getting at!

"What goes around, comes around" is another way still of looking at it and I'm wondering if we're onto something here...

Could it be that in giving your life away to others (ED - within reason of course!) is when we find that the Creator God returns us in kind, the state of life as we want it?

We're not expected to live like machines always programmed to do what others want of us with no time to ourselves, just to be willing to help a brother (ED - or sister!) out from time to time when we can.

Pushing the Boat Out A Little

Therefore it can come as no real surprise then that it takes a lot less effort to meet said need at times simply because we can afford to spend a little more time with those eyes wide open and our arms wider apart ready to take action when the call arises (ED - Warning! The following video contains flashing sequences that may cause seizures).

This is what I've built my life around lately, this idea that I'm on a charge & I'm charged to impact wherever I am with the love of Christ. Not to push it down atheist & agnostic throats, but simply to show that there is someone who believes that people can be the best they possibly can if they'll only believe it themselves.

Society only delights in highlighting what we're not good at and what we're lacking in. So it's my mission as a believer in Christ the risen Son of God, to be the best I can be at what I do with this blog and eventual social media empire expansion and show others that they too have within them the potential for greatness!

"Sic parvis magna", once more, brothers & sisters!

Therefore, as far as generosity is concerned, let me give it over to John Wesley who said it best and it's another foundation I've built my life upon over these years: -

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

What's that? I don't know what you're going through at the moment that stops you from being so free with your love, time, money & effort?

You're right I don't.

All I'm asking is that you take into consideration that you, yes you, may be the answer to someone's prayer today no matter where you go, or what you do.

Final Thought

As we continue then, into another week, let's set about looking around us for chances to be the change for someone this week, that is my charge to you. I'm not meaning to force my views on anyone, I'm just asking you to ask yourself when you see someone in need one question... "can I meet that need today"?

This is the most amazing thing, it doesn't have to be in a flamboyant & extravagant manner, just as long as you start looking outside of your own circumstances wherever you are.

I'm going to try that extra ounce of effort just to see where that extra push lands me because you never know, in being someone's answer today, they just might be your answer tomorrow or in the days ahead!

Next time, it's the world of the stingy I'll be tackling so beware as I'm expecting that to be a feisty post! :)

Peace out!