Generosity - What is Our Response?

Through the tragedy of the Haiti earthquake and other disasters comes a beautiful response of generosity. Something within humans prompts us to want to help. So skilled medical personnel offer their time to fly to Haiti to care for the injured. Employers provide these medical personnel leaves of absence to serve. Neighbors and family at home volunteer to care for children for those who go. Needed medical supplies are donated by health agencies. People from around the world donate money via texting and the internet to support the cause. Food and water are donated by various organizations. People pack up clothing and other household supplies for the victims. Others offer to ship these supplies. The generosity goes on and on. People from around the world have used their time, abilities and resources to help those in need.

Generosity. Have you seen it lately? Have you experienced it? Have you lived it? Wikipedia says generosity is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return. It can involve offering time, assets or talents to aid someone in need. Often equated with charity as a virtue, generosity is widely accepted in society as a desirable trait.

While generosity is a desireable trait, it is so much more than that. God was the first examplar of generosity in offering Jesus to mend our sinful and broken relationships. Jesus demonstrates his willingness to give freely with his generous love for us. Reflecting upon the grace of God in our lives, how can we not make our lives an expression of that generosity? In truly loving God and others, perhaps we should resolve to express our generosity by being completely available with our time, talents and resources in whatever ways God wants from us. Are we willing to unleash generosity in our lives?

Those who gave in some way to the Haiti relief effort have been blessed in their giving. It’s a joy and a privilege to be generous with what God has given each of us. In fact, it’s often downright fun! Give it a try! Are we ready to take up the generosity challenge? Are we willing to learn what it means to live and give generously?

Stay tuned for examples and ideas on how to make generosity a lifestyle.

Julie Faltinson 

This article appeared in the August 21-22 issue of the Wooddale Week.