MAY DEVOTIONS FOR MONEY LEADERSHIP
Giving
Generosity is a grace to be developed and practiced.
The Generosity Gene
Is generosity in your DNA? Is an understanding of generosity learned or inherited? Most people learn about generosity from their parents, grandparents, or other close family members. Who has been most influential in teaching you about generosity?
One of the most familiar stories in Scripture is “The Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:30-37). In this story a man walking down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho becomes a symbol recognized by people who don’t even know much about Christian faith. And yet the concept of giving of oneself to care for others crosses almost all cultural barriers.
Why does this story make such an impression? It is not where someone is from. It is not one’s position or profession in life. It is not the order in which the persons appear. It is how each person responds to an opportunity to practice generosity. Sometimes this opportunity is in the most unexpected circumstances.
The Samaritan is not expected to be generous to a Jew. His action cuts through to stereotypes. His behavior is truly counter-cultural. Jesus calls us to giving behaviors that are counter-cultural also. People who are generous have an opportunity to do the unexpected, even if this is not the daily expectation in their culture.
How do we as Christians practice generous living in a culture that seems to be moving further away from our faith practices? We turn to examples from Scripture and those close to us. It is by developing generous practices in our life and looking for ways to demonstrate these practices that we both reflect Christ and teach others. How have you demonstrated generosity recently? How have others learned from your example?
Prayer: O God of abundance, open my eyes to see those who are truly generous around me. Help me to be prepared for the unexpected and to be generous in unexpected ways. May I understand how my living examples shape the life of others. Amen.