Be Generous As God Is -- by Pastor Joseph H. Lao

​
“You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19 MSG) 

          Paul ends his little book on Philippians with the above promise. This I believe is one of the greatest promises ever given in the Bible. God says I guarantee that I will take care of everything you need, my generosity exceeding yours.  I’ll take care of everything you need. Have you ever considered how your community would change if you were a little more giving today. If you gave your money, your talents and your time to causes that really matter. Do you believe that joyful generosity can change the world?
          Some people struggle with the question, "What is generosity?" Although they could not get their hands around it, I believe it is more of a heart issue, not so much one of the mind. We often wrestle with our own selfish nature. Why give up what was “ours”? That amount over and above the tithe is what we felt should be ours. In our heads we knew God was the owner of it all, as stated in I Chronicles 29:11 "...for everything in heaven and earth is yours." So what is the issue? Our heart!
          Generosity is more than being kind, bighearted, or even charitable. It is an attribute that derives its power from the very nature of God. God's generosity must spill over into our lives and flow through every act, thought, and desire. A generous God gave to us His most precious gift. We must give generously back to Him to fulfill his purposes in the world.
          Reading stories of generous people helps us to learn more about generosity. Not because these people have arrived at “being generous.” Not even close. They are still on that journey of generosity that we all must walk. Our prayer is that their stories will inspire us to learn and to act more generously. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul says of the Philippians, “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.”
          For our time on earth, we are to grow in our journey as stewards each and every day.  We will never arrive at generosity, just like we will never arrive at holiness. That shouldn't keep us, however, from learning and growing every day to become more generous - and more holy. Let us be generous as our heavenly Father is!