The Gift of Generosity!

Generosity is not what we do but rather who we are, in the Lord. The gift of generosity began at the Cross and the Empty Tomb and continues through our daily lives. What a joy, what a gift, that our generous Lord has given us to share with the younger and the older!

The poet Maya Angelou said it this way: “This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before!” Every day, every gift, which the Lord provides us, is given to us so that we can give it away. That’s generosity, indeed! We give away our time, talents and riches because the Lord has given us these gifts to share with others.

We need to be generous even if it’s imperfect. Years ago, a granddaughter made a poster for her “Gramps.” It read, “He has ears that really listen, arms that always hold, love that’s never ending and a heart that’s made of gold.” And it was signed to, “Graps!” What a gift of generosity. It didn’t matter a bit that there was a misspelling. It was a gift of generosity from the heart of a child…and even better yet, she still calls me “Graps!”

For many of us, including myself, one of our gifts is the gift of aging, haha. The Lord has provided senior citizens with many years in order for us to share and celebrate the gift of life with others, both the younger and the older. Aging is not a burden to bear but rather a gift to share, with people of all ages! Just think of all of the generous gifts that we older saints gift to the younger saints – gifts of listening, of joy, of hugs, of pure love in the Lord…and perhaps even some financial help for school. Now that’s generosity, indeed!

Being of good age myself, I have learned of many ways throughout my ministry career to be generous. Here follows a generosity list of 10 ways to share the gift of generosity with those the Lord has placed in our lives. Why not work together at adding even more ways and share them with others too!

1. Today I will not strike back. If someone is rude or unkind, I will not respond in a similar way.
2. Today I will ask God to bless my “enemies.” If I come across someone who treats me harshly, I will quietly ask the Lord to bless that person.
3. Today I will be careful about what I say. I will carefully choose and guard my words.
4. Today I will go the extra mile. I will find ways to help carry other people’s burdens, here at home and throughout the world.
5. Today I will forgive and forget any hurts or insults that come my way.
6. Today I will do something nice for someone. I will reach out with my time, energies and finances to be a blessing to others.
7. Today I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouraged.
8. Today I will take care of my own body. I will eat less, eat healthier and thank God for my body, regardless of my age.
9. Today I will grow spiritually. I will spend more time in prayer and less time on social media and TV. I will find a quiet place and listen to the Lord.
10. Today I will celebrate the forgiveness of Christ even when I don’t live up to the other 9 things listed above! And in all of my daily life, I will seek to bring more laughter, joy and forgiveness to those around me, because the Lord has risen, in Deed!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of generosity! And let God’s people say…AMEN!

Photo Credit: Rod Long

Dr. Rich Bimler, Bloomingdale, Il, has served many ministry positions throughout his ministry career, including DCE, Director of Youth Ministries for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Assistant to the LCMS  Synodical President, President/CEO of Wheat Ridge Ministries, Consultant for Lutheran Life Communities, and Ministry Consultant for Lutheran Church Charities. He continues to write for “Hope-Full Living” devotional booklets and other magazines and resources. He is the author of 22 books and currently is focusing on enabling and celebrating God’s gift of aging. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University and postgraduate schools. He has been gifted with a family of 1 wife, Hazel, 3 grown “kids,” and 7 grandkids. His gift of generosity focuses on equipping and encourAGING older people to see aging as a gift to share rather than a burden to bear, and to also enable people of all ages to “Lighten up!” The Lord is Risen ….in DEED!