Beverly Hill McKinney Word Count: 485
104 Ash Drive
Rogue River, OR 97537
(541) 582-8260
A Generous Heart
Deuteronomy 16:17 (KJV) states, Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he has given thee.
When we think of giving of ourselves or being generous, we think in terms of material things. However, there are other ways to be generous.
1) Spiritual generosity. Be generous with prayer. I have many friends whom I can call in times of need and know they will immediately begin praying for me. They are giving of themselves in prayer. Are we generous in praying for others? Do we take time to immediately approach the Throne of Grace when someone cries out for our help? Galatians 6:2 reminds us to bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
2) Generous with our time. There is an old saying that if you want something done, ask the busiest person. Luke 6:38 tells us, Give and it shall be given you. How often have we stopped from our busy schedule to help someone else only to be blessed twice as much in return? Look around you today and see where you can help others by giving of your time. Galatians 6:9 reminds us to not be weary in well doing for in due time we shall reap, if we faint not.
3) God-given Talent. God has given us each talents. Are we using them? In Matthew 25:15-30 we read the story of the distribution of talents. To one person he gave five talents, to another two and to another one. Later the Master calls the three servants and asks them what they have done with their talents. Many of us can’t sing, play the piano or direct children or youth activities. However, can we help at a rescue mission, write an inspiring and uplifting note to someone in physical pain or take a dinner to a shut-in in our church? So often we think of talent in terms of musical or artistic abilities, but the Lord has given us each a talent we can use for him. In Acts 20:35 it says it is more blessed to give than to receive. Be generous with your talents.
4) Generous with materials goods. In Luke 21:1-4 Christ relates the story of the widow lady who gave her two mites, all she had and compared her giving to the rich man who had much, but gave little. If God has blessed us with many material blessings, then we can give out of the abundance of our heart and be blessed in return. In Proverbs 28:27 we are admonished to give to the poor and we ourselves shall not lack.
Be generous with whatever blessings the Lord has given you and then hear Him say, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40 KJV)