Being Generous Like Jesus

Several months ago, I had the honor of speaking at an area church on the subject of generosity. In preparing for the message, I grew increasingly interested in the generosity of God and how that generosity is reflected by those of us who believe in Him. Through the process of getting ready to deliver the message, I became convinced that generosity can bring great joy.

Since giving that message, entitled “Experiencing the Joy of Generosity” I have a heightened awareness of God’s generosity as well as the generosity of people.

What is generosity?

The free and liberal bestowal of wealth, possessions or food upon others.

Generosity can be shown in different ways, but it flows out of love.

Generosity is a key element in God’s economy.

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

Proverbs 11:24 (NIV)

Jesus is generous. Therefore, we should be generous also.

After all, he gave his life —Romans 5:8 says —while we were yet sinners.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8 (NLT)

Jesus, both in his human nature and his divine nature, is generous. The generosity of Jesus stems out of love. To love like Jesus is to be generous like Jesus. Saying Jesus is love in one breath is saying Jesus is generous in that same breath.

As believers, we should be generous in our dealings with others, following the example of Jesus himself.

As we grow more Christlike, our capacity to love others increases. Simultaneously, our ability to act with generosity—freely giving our time, talent, and treasure—grows. The more we love, the more generous we become because generosity stems from our love of Jesus.

Have you noticed that you can give something to someone without loving them but you cannot love someone without giving to them?

You can give to someone through an act of kindness, mercy, and grace.

Forgiveness is a gift of generosity. Forgiveness is an act of love anchored in our love of Christ.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)

Generosity is memorable and unforgettable.

Some of the wealthiest people I know put great effort into giving to others in memorable ways. They don’t just toss a gift your way. Rather, they make how you get the gift as unforgettable as the gift itself is memorable. They don’t do this out of vanity, but out of love.

What more memorable, unforgettable act of generosity is there than for Jesus to become God with us—Immanuel —so that he could lay his life down on our behalf so that we might live?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 (NIV)

It is impossible for us to say that we love Jesus or we love our neighbor, while not at the same time being generous toward Jesus or generous toward our neighbor.

My wife Terri models this far better than I do. I am in awe of her generosity. She freely gives of her time, talent, and treasure.

Be generous with your kindness. Be generous with your forgiveness. Be generous in your worship of Jesus.

Be generous with your time, your talents and your treasures. Be generous in your love for others as Jesus has been generous with His love for you.

I think you’ll find the blessings of generosity you give out will be multiplied in return.

That’s all I got for today. May the peace of the Lord go with you wherever you go today.

Rainer Bantau

The Devotional Guy™