Generosity has nothing to do with having money or not. It’s a heart posture.
I’ve had times in my life where I had plenty of money to be able to give lavishly (and, I gotta be honest, it’s really fun!) and I’ve had times in my life where my faith was tested mightily because the cash wasn’t there for the most basic of basics!
But, you see, I was raised in a home where generosity was constantly being modeled, and it took on all forms.
Sometimes it was giving food to someone who was hungry, and sometimes it was helping a neighbor out by lending a tool they needed.
Sometimes it was gifting something anonymously to a family in need, and sometimes it was my mom being a listening ear to a young women in distress.
Sometimes it was a donation to a great cause, and sometimes it was hosting a big gathering because we had the space for it.
Sometimes it was big, and sometimes it was small – but it always had an impact.
And not just on the people who were blessed to receive, but also (and hugely) to us, the ones who got to be generous.
When I explore my childhood, adolescence, and even recent years, it is consistently woven with threads of generosity, and examples to learn from.
As an adult, looking back at all the different ways my parents exemplified this, I’m struck with what a profound difference their acts of generosity must have had on these families we got to bless. The impact is so much deeper than just the moment when it’s experienced.
“Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! The measurement of your generosity becomes the measurement of your return” Luke 6:38 (TPT)
Money is a wonderful way to bless people, either by giving cash directly, donating to a great cause, purchasing things for people, etc. but generosity has nothing to do with having money or not.
You can be walking around with a negative balance in your bank account and still be generous. Give of your time. Your wisdom. Your experience. Give from what you do have.
Being generous doesn’t mean you forgo all of your own needs to never eat again to only buy food for others. No no no. You still get to eat ? But don’t let not having money prevent you from being generous!
And then when you do have money, you don’t need to stop being generous in other ways, too. Give how and when you’re willing to, and enjoy the ripple effect.
Wherever you’re at in life, generosity is always a great M.O.!
