The word generous connotes the idea of showing a readiness to give more of something; showing kindness towards others. Being generous is one of the characteristics of our Heavenly Father, so as believers we too should exhibit generosity towards others. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.

Last Saturday, I found myself doing my regular routine of cleaning my house with the music playing loudly in the background. I vacuumed the upstairs bedrooms, swept the hardwood floors in the living and dining room, cleaned the three bathrooms, and washed two loads of clothes. The house was spic and span. You could eat off the floor. The house smelled like Hawaiian breeze and lemon because I had lemon oil in my diffuser that was plugged in and I had just changed my AirWick plugs to my favorite scent, Hawaiian Breeze. I felt like I had really accomplished something that day because all of this was done by 10:00 a.m. I had the rest of the day to just do whatever I wanted.

I began walking around the living room, observing that everything was in its place. I thought about how it is a new season and maybe with a new season, there should be a new and different look to the interior of my home. I started moving and rearranging pillows, vases, baskets, and stools in the living and dining room. I even walked upstairs and began shifting things around in my bedroom and loft.
As I continued to shift things around, I thought about if I really needed all that I had; maybe it is time to get rid of some stuff. I walked slowly to the pantry and got out a white plastic garbage bag. I began to put some things into the bag. I would put some things in and take things back out. It seemed hard at times to give things away. I had grown attached to some of the items and didn’t want to part with them. After going back and forth about what to keep and give away, I ended up having two bags of items to donate to the Goodwill Store down the street from my house. ( glass vases, wall art, glass bowls, patio chair cushions, gray corner table, and a large area rug)

During this process, I started thinking about the importance of generosity and how we as Christians, are called to live a life that is full of generosity; displaying a willingness and readiness to give warm-heartedly. Matthew 10:42 says that He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. Generosity is a core value of the life of a Christian.
That day, I decided to be generous with household items and open my heart. I decided to show kindness to others. The word “heart” refers to our intellect, conscience, will, character, feelings, thoughts, and emotions. I made a decision not to live closed fisted, but to live with opened hands and an open heart. Galatians 6:9 reminds us… Do not let yourselves get tired of doing good. If we do not give up, we will get what is coming to us at the right time. (Galatians 6:9 / New Life Version)

Remember…
G.I.F.T.
G Generosity/giving
I Is
F Foundational
T To our Christian walk
Have you exhibited generosity during this season? Have you been generous with your time, attention, energy, finances, or presence? Let’s open our hands and heart and live out the spiritual discipline of generosity!