Blessed be the generous
Proverbs 22:9
9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he
shares his food with the poor.
Generosity is often portrayed as what you do for other people. When someone needs a ride, you go pick him or her up. When someone is lonely, you reach out to him or her. When there is a financial need, you see what you can do to meet it. Generosity becomes defined as what you do for others.
Now there’s no doubt, helping people is a big part of generosity – and the person so helped is greatly blessed. But, what people don’t always realize is that generosity is also a blessing to the giver. Proverbs 22 says that a generous man will himself be blessed. That means that the generous person isn’t just the one blessing others; but in that generosity the giver will also receive blessing. This blessing might come in different ways; but one sure way it will come is in the eyes of the Lord. In living generously, you will be pleasing Him and storing up eternal blessing for yourself. Know that God smiles on your generosity, is itself, a blessing.
Throughout their lives, Christians look at themselves and ask, “How can I grow as a believer?” As they pursue living out the Gospel, they work on praying more faithfully, on studying the Word, on working on their character and the way they react to sin and temptation. There are all these critical ways to pursue our faith.
But, one way that people don’t always think of is through generosity. God will bless you and grow you as a Christian when you seek to live generously in His name. So when you are looking to please God and grow, definitely invest yourself in prayer and the Word and good things like that. But, don’t forget about generosity, after all, generosity is just one more tool God is using to make you like Christ.
Today’s Generosity Challenge:
Let’s talk about the little things. Who do you know that could use a ride to church, to the doctor, or to a hair appointment? What single mom could use an oil change or some household repair? How could you come along side someone that just needs a little something that we usually just take for granted? Now, go and do it. Afterwards, write down the effect it had on them and you at http://GenerousLife.net/Day27.
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