How generous are you?

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor seen their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others and their children are a blessing. Psalm 37: 25-26 NLT

So, how generous are you? I don't mean how much money do you give away. I mean to ask: what kind of attitude goes with your giving? Do you expect something from your gift, whether from God or others? Do you think if you give a lot, God will turn and reward you? Or do you expect your church or other non-profit to make much of you, to do as you ask, to follow your own recommendations over those not so generous?

Generosity means giving with your hand open. You are not ready to grab the hand that takes the money. The money is freely given and the trust in the one to whom it is given is irreversible.

The psalmist looks at the godly and sees that they give generous loans. There is no expectation of a pay-back. They may not have much but their children will not starve and are actually faithful and godly themselves.

So, if you are unsure about how generous you are, perhaps you had better look at your children.

God, I have experienced your own generosity in various ways in my life. Most importantly, you gave your son freely for our sake, not expecting anything in return. For that we are truly and eternally grateful. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims