Be generous

God instructed the Israelites, ‘If there is among you a poor man… you shall open your hand wide to him.’ (Deuteronomy 15:7–8 NKJV) Giving is the highest level of living. Generous people focus their time and effort on what they can give to others, not what they can get from them. And the more you give, the better your attitude becomes.

Many people don’t understand this concept. They think the amount you have determines the amount you should share. It’s not what you have that matters; it’s what you do with what you have. And that’s determined by your attitude. A famous saying puts it this way: we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. And you can start serving others today. Whether it means spending more time with your family, mentoring an employee who shows potential, helping people in your church or community—it’s about putting your own desires on hold to bless others.

The Bible says, ‘Speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.’ (Proverbs 31:9 NLT) The only way to maintain an attitude of generosity is to make a habit of giving of your time, attentiveness, money and resources. While it’s hard to let go of possessions, doing so begins to loosen the self-centred greed within. Think about what you’re already giving, what you’ve been asked to give, and what you would like to give. Your reasons for granting or denying a request for financial help may be valid, but are they godly? Think about how it feels when you give, and let that be your guide.