Generosity
“Charge those who are rich in this world that they be not haughty, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy”-1Tim. 6:17
Generosity is the art of being kind in spirit, liberal in giving and openhanded. One of the attributes of God is generosity. God is a generous God, he is not a miser. He showed this in creation. He generously created the Garden of Eden and provided everything that Adam will need for his sustenance before putting Adam in the garden. God is generous in his love and mercy. He has loved us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3) and he has rich mercy (Eph. 2:4) for us. God is so generous that he made his sunshine and rain to come upon the righteous and the unrighteous (Mt. 5:45). When he delivered the children of Israel from Egypt he generously put them in a land flowing with milk and honey (Exod. 3:8 & 17) God generosity is also exhibited by giving when he gave his only son to die for humanity (Jn. 3:16, Rom.8:32) The Bible captured God’s generosity when it says in 1Tim. 6:17b “who giveth us richly all things to enjoy”.
As God’s children, we are to be generous like our father. God wants us to be generous because generosity pleases God (2Cor. 9:7) and unlocks God’s blessings (Prov. 11:25, Lk. 8:38). Paul quoting Jesus says it is more blessed to give than to receive (Act. 20:25). As believers, we are to be generous in these four major ways;
- Generous in the spirit. This is a result of our spiritual development or growth in God. This is the working of the Holy Spirit in our inside that finds expression in our outside. This is to develop in our Christian walk to a level where we are spirit controlled and not flesh controlled. This is doing what is contrary to human expectation. It being forgiven when we are expected to revenge, like Joseph who forgave his brothers (Gen. 50:15-21). It is putting others first before us, like Abraham who put lot first to choose the watered land (Gen. 13:8-12). It is being sensitive to other people’s need and meeting those needs at our own inconvenience like the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37). It is in fearing God like Cornelius (Act. 10:1). Our generosity in the spirit set the pace for our generosity in other areas of life.
- Generosity in hospitality
As God children, we are to be generous in hospitality. When we are hospitable and our homes are welcoming we are blessed. The Shunammite woman was hospitable and opened her house to Elisha and she went further to build him a guest house. In doing this she was blessed with her long-awaited child (2kg. 4:8-17). The Bible says hospitality connects us to the supernatural (Heb.13:2).
- Generosity of opportunities
There are some occasions in life that present us with opportunities to be generous either to God or man and if we do not make use of such opportunities they may never come to our ways again. When Mary had the opportunity to anoint Jesus before his death. She broke the box of expensive alabaster oil and poured it on Jesus. Jesus said because of her generosity her name will be mentioned whenever the gospel is preached (Mt.26:6-13).
- Generosity of giving
As God’s children, we are to give generously. We cannot out give God. The Bible in 1Tim. 6:18 says “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” Whatever we give to God he multiplies back to us (Jn. 6:38). Giving is living. Our giving is not only in our money or treasure but also in our talent and time.
This month is our prophetic month of generosity. God is calling us to a life of generosity and as we obey him he will bless us back with miracles signs and wonders in Jesus name.
Pastor Tope Dosumu
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