Religion & Spirituality
Giving, like so many things, takes practice. When the word generosity is used, the first thing that often comes to mind is some sort of financial resource—money. Certainly giving money can be a generous act but it is not the only way to give or to be generous. Giving is not just about tangible items. We can give our time and our labor. But adding labor and time to gifts of money is not an all-inclusive description of generosity. Do we ever think of a confession as being a generous act? In 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV) we read “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” When we give money, time, resources or make a personal commitment, we are most like our heavenly Father. Generous giving and serving brings us a joy unlike any other. Sometimes the simplest sayings capture the largest ideas. Such is the perspective on giving and generosity in the saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” The origin of that little bit of wisdom springs from the book of Acts.“ 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.’“ Acts 20:35 (NIV) Giving and doing so generously is a way to display and practice thanks but it must be practiced daily.