Generosity

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"Generosity is love in action, and love is measured in giving, not taking." - Erwin McManus in his book Uprising I was raised in a very generous home. My father was very liberal in giving. He gave generously to me and my siblings. The things that my father gave us were often material and cost him something, but I don't mean to suggest that the depth of his generosity is in anyway tied to the monetary value of his giving. He also lavished on us his praises. He was very encouraging and supportive... priceless gifts. I have been told that I am also generous. My wife often refers to me as a giver. But, to be perfectly honest, I have done very little to cultivate in my own life a spirit of giving. As of late, I would say that my direction (at least mentally) is more towards taking than giving. My financial circumstances have changed and I am no longer in a place where giving is easy. I have forgotten that generosity and giving are not restricted to those who have much to give... though "to whom much is given, much is required!" So, I took some time away from my morning routine to share some encouraging words with my wife. I read somewhere that the words "generous" and "generative" share a common root meaning. The word generative means "capable of producing or creating". There is not a soul alive that is not capable of producing kind words, compliments, and encouragement. This should be especially true for those who we say that we love. If I desire to be a generous man... a loving man... then at the very least, I should be deliberate and active about liberally giving all that I am able to give. "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend." John 15:13