Monday, November 21, 2016

Topic: “The Rhythm of Generosity”

Verse for the Week: (2 Corinthians 9:11-12) You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

It’s hard to believe but Thanksgiving is upon us. A celebration in which we typically feast on food and family. To top it off, most of us often get a day or two off work for a long weekend—praise!!

Our verses this week depict quite a beautiful picture of the rhythm of generosity.

This picture is painted with broad strokes of how God equips us for generosity. It says that He enriches us so we can bless others, and in doing so, thanksgiving to God is the result. And that is a beautiful rhythm of generosity, isn’t it?

When it comes to Thanksgiving, providing and sharing food is the easiest part of being generous. I can actually taste the buttery turkey, and the crisp cranberry on my tongue just thinking about it. However, family relationships aren’t always so easy to stomach, and they tend to push our hot buttons.

And when our hot buttons are pushed, it stifles our ability to be generous with our words, our thoughts, and our actions.

So how do we move beyond our own issues of pain, hurt, and judgment of those we know and love in order to live out this call to generosity?

The secret is found in seeking God with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13)! It means being in relationship with our God where we are vulnerable and open to the leading of the Spirit.

What happens when we truly place our focus on seeking God, hearing God, honoring God, obeying God?

Our heart softens.

Our attitude improves.

Our actions, our thoughts, and our words reflect a more righteous integrity.

In essence, we break the barrier of self-centeredness that keeps us from experiencing the beauty of generosity.

So, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday hoopla, let’s remember to be generous with our time, our talents, our attention, our attitude, our forgiveness, our love, our laughter.

For some of the people in our families, even our children, we are the only representation of God they will see.

I promise if you will practice generosity this holiday season, it will lift your spirit and the result will be thanksgiving to God.

Follow the example of generosity. Don’t be stingy. Open your heart and open your hands, and make the choice to start living in the rhythm of generosity. It is not based on a formula or a feeling. It is based on having a relationship with our very generous God. It starts and ends right there.

Prayer:

Lord, draw me into relationship with you. Teach me how to be generous to those you place in my life. Help me to experience the rhythm of your divine generosity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed. Be generous. Be thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dori