Generosity

You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving.- Amy Carmichael

Generosity stems from our belief that we have enough to share. A great sage in Babylon said, "The reward of charity depends entirely upon the extent of kindness in it." Even the nature teaches us that we should be generous in giving,  we can see the rivers, the sea they store so much water but they do not use for themselves they give it to us. The trees produce sweet fruits but never do they taste their fruit. Earth is so vast with abundant riches stored in it, precious stones, minerals and ores all for our use. Never does the earth demands or wants to get, but is always ready to give.

2 Cor 9: 6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously". When, a person gives willingly and happily, never expecting anything in return is called generosity. If, you have an attitude of treating, or considering another person to be greater, than you, or have a heart to help, to give, to donate, to make others happy and content ; you are remarked as a generous person. Generosity is a character which is inherited genetically. I, recall the incidence with my parents about their generosity, they used to be so generous with the church members, friends or people in our community or group and  especially to the poor and those in need by giving money or by hearing  their heartache. Sometimes when our parents used to lend money to those in need we used to tell, "Mummy & Papa they are just cheating you, they might be having more than us". They used to tell us, "it is because we have, so we give". As Charles Spurgeon also says," Giving is true having." Some people think that by giving they will become empty, or will lose their wealth but that is not true even God taught us to be generous and give joyfully.

A beautiful story about a very prominent leader Mahatma Gandhi. He used to go from city to city and village to village, collecting funds for Charkha Sangh. Once, in Orissa, after addressing to  the people a poor woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey, clothes were tattered. She wanted to see Gandhiji, even  though the volunteers tried to stop her she kept on insisting, going up to Gandhiji, she touched his feet and brought out a copper coin from the folds of her sari and placed it in Gandhiji's feet. Gandhiji picked up the coin and put it away carefully. The Charkha Sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He asked, Gandhi for the coin but Gandhi refused " I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for Charkha Sangh," Jamanalal Bajaj said laughingly "yet you won't trust me with a copper coin."This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands". Gandhi said." If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn't mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that the poor woman possesed. She gave me all she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a crore of rupees." This story is somewhat similar to the story  in the bible of a widow's offering in Mark 12: 41-43.

'The greatest example of generosity can be seen in the life of Jesus, who laid down His life for the mankind. We should try to live a generous life and follow his steps.

 I’m just writing a blog post, for your encouragement and improved outlook towards generosity. If you know this article would help someone or encourage them, please do share with them. I’d also love to hear from you. Please do leave a comment.

Thanks

Ann