What comes to your mind when you think of generosity? Do you value generosity? How important is it to you and your family? Does it impact the way you live your life at home and model it at home?
Generous, what it means to be
Generosity, according to biblical principles, involves a willingness to share one’s resources, time, and talents with others selflessly. It goes beyond mere material giving and encompasses a compassionate and open-hearted attitude towards those in need. Scripture provides guidance on generosity, emphasizing its importance in cultivating a spirit of love and kindness.
What does the Bible have to say about Generosity?
Generosity not only benefits others but also brings blessings to the one who practices it.
Proverbs 11:25 (NIV): "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
It emphasizes the attitude of the giver, stressing the joyous and willing nature of generosity.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV): "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Encourages a mindset of abundance, assuring that generosity will be rewarded.
Luke 6:38 (NIV): "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Jesus’ words underline the blessedness of giving, emphasizing the spiritual fulfillment derived from generosity.
Acts 20:35 (NIV): "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
To Summarize:
Biblical teachings stress the significance of a generous spirit, highlighting the positive impact on both the giver and the recipient. Generosity is not only a practical demonstration of love but also a way to align one’s life with the principles of compassion and selflessness found in the Scriptures.
How important is it to be a generous dad?
Being a generous father is of great importance in a family, as it aligns with biblical principles and contributes to a positive and loving household. Generosity in the context of fatherhood involves not only providing for the material needs of the family but also demonstrating a generous heart in various aspects.
Ways to show generosity as a dad:
Provision for the Family:
It is crucial for a father to be generous in providing for the physical needs of the family. This includes not only financial support but also emotional and spiritual guidance.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV): "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
This verse underscores the responsibility of a father to generously provide for his family.
Emotional Generosity:
A generous father is emotionally present and supportive, creating an atmosphere of love and security within the family.
Colossians 3:21 (NIV): "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."
This verse encourages fathers to be considerate and understanding, fostering a positive emotional environment.
Spiritual Guidance:
A generous father leads his family in spiritual matters, imparting values and faith to the next generation.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV): "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it."
This verse emphasizes the impact of a father’s guidance on the upbringing of children.
Generosity in Discipline:
A generous father exercises discipline with love and wisdom, seeking the well-being and growth of the children.
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV): "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Discipline, when administered with a generous heart, leads to positive outcomes.
Topic: It’s Better to Give
Verse: Philippians 4:15
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only
Why It’s Better to Give:
- Reflecting God’s Character: Giving mirrors the nature of God, who is the ultimate giver. As we give, we imitate God’s selfless and sacrificial love, reflecting His character in our actions.
- Blessing Others: Giving has the power to bless and uplift those in need. It meets practical needs, demonstrates compassion, and contributes to the well-being of others.
- Joyful Living: The act of giving brings joy and fulfillment. It transcends material possessions and fosters a sense of purpose and contentment in the giver.
- Stewardship Mindset: Recognizing that everything belongs to God, including our resources, instills a stewardship mindset. It encourages responsible and generous management of what God has entrusted to us.
Applying Generosity to how we live our lives as dads:
Application:
- Modeling Generosity: Apply the principle of giving in your own life, modeling generosity for your family. Let your actions speak of a heart that is open-handed and willing to share.
- Teaching Through Example: Teach your children the joy of giving by involving them in acts of generosity. Show them the impact of selfless giving on others’ lives.
- Prioritizing God’s Work: Consider how your resources, including time and finances, can be used to support the work of God. Prioritize contributing to the growth of the kingdom of God.
- Creating a Culture of Giving: Foster a culture of giving within your family. Encourage open conversations about the importance of generosity and how it aligns with the teachings of Christ.
- Being a Blessing to Others: Actively seek opportunities to bless those around you, both within your family and in the broader community. Look for ways to make a positive impact.
By living out the principles of Philippians 4:15, you contribute to a culture of giving and sharing, creating a legacy of faith and generosity for your family. This, in turn, brings glory to God as your actions align with His heart for love, compassion, and generosity.
Furthermore, like much of what the Bible is teaching us, it is a matter of the heart:
Today’s Devotional speaks about both the importance of trusting God’s provision as well as the generosity of the co-laborers with Christ who give. It speaks of “Hudson Taylor, the English preacher who pioneered missions in China, never asked for money to fund his work. Rather, he deeply believed that God would supply all his needs, and he prayed every day for His provision.” We also learn how people gave in order to enable his ministry to continue.
God is looking for open and obedient hearts. He honors “the generosity of these believers” who provided for Hudson Taylor’s ministry, “as He does our giving”. To some God has given the calling and ability to give to ministry and to others He has given the ability and calling to do the work. Let’s consider what 2 Corinthians 9:7 has to tell us.
Not just hearers of the Word but doers
So let’s be about doing the good works God is calling us to do, being the dads who have generous hearts and as such are hilarious givers for the glory of God, starting in our homes, and then out into the world. Continuing in Philippians 4:15-18, we find additional insight into this as we read:
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Look for every opportunity to be generous
Today, let’s be ready on every occasion to be generous for the glory of God. Today’s Devotional closes with a call for us to “ask God for opportunities to invest in His Kingdom work.” We need to be and get involved and stepping up to be the dads our wives and kids need by being a model of what God desires by getting involved, maybe more so in the local church or for missions in other parts of the world. For some God is saying to work hard in order to provide provision for the church and missions. Others He may call to serve in ministries in the church. To others, He calls to go into the world as missionaries. By being generous, we can be a part of God’s great plan to “help the next Hudson Taylore and discover a valuable truth: it’s better to give than to receive.”
If the church marries herself to the spirit of the times, she will find herself a widow in the next generation.
CHARLES STANLEY
