There are lots of ways we can be generous. We can give our time, money, knowledge, and so on. But why should we be generous? It’s easy for us to think ‘I’ve already given up enough of my resources to help others this week. I don’t need to give for a while. Let someone else give this time’ But this isn’t the attitude God wants us to have. Proverbs 11:25 says, ‘The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed’ (NLT). When we help others by giving or sharing what we have, we can be certain that God will make sure we’re rewarded for our generosity. The Bible tells us: ‘A farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others’ (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT). That doesn’t mean we should only be generous when we need something too. We should be looking to do kind deeds for others as often as we can. Matthew 25:40 reminds us, ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (NIV). Every kind, generous act that truly comes from our hearts is an act of devotion to God. He’s given us all that we have now and He knows what the future holds. He’ll give us what exactly we need, so we’re free to be generous with what we have.
