Generosity

Generosity

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

ONE DAY I CAME HOME and noticed two people sitting outside on our sidewalk. All around them were their belongings, suitcases, boxes, and bags. I thought it odd, but went inside without commenting.

As my family and I observed them from our kitchen window, wondering what we should do, my six-year-old offered her suggestion. “Mom,” she started, “you need to go and talk to them. You could tell them they could live in our basement. We have an empty room, and no one is using it. Tell them they could live there.” I looked at her for a moment, realizing that she’d made the connection, that these individuals, with all their belongings strewn around them, probably didn’t have a place to live. Her solution was to offer our home, knowing we had more space than we needed.

“Okay, honey,” I responded, “I’ll go and talk to them.” I went out and greeted them. They explained that they did have a place to live across town but they just needed a ride. We offered to help, and my husband loaded up their belongings in our truck to bring to their home.

Later on, I thought about my daughter’s quick response to offer them a place to live. She has heard so often in our house that a main tenet of our faith is to be generous to those around us, including strangers, so it naturally came out of her when faced with someone’s need.

When we understand generosity as simply giving out of what God has so generously given to us, we’ll be happy to share with those around us. Knowing that everything is from him frees us from thinking we’ve simply earned what we have, spending it only on ourselves. Christians will be known for their love, and one of the ways that we show our love is by generously sharing what we have when we see the needs of others.

Lord, may we see all that we have as your generosity toward us, and may we share it generously with others. Amen.

-Kendra

One Good Step: Who around you has a need? How can you be generous to help meet their needs?