The next behavior we must focus our attention and efforts towards creating, with the help of the Holy Spirit, of course, is another one which clearly reveals the gracious Character of God. For God so love the world that He GAVE…God is a Giver Who gives His very best, and so should we. So this next behavior is the Habit of Generosity. When we love, we give. This should be our instinctive response, just as it is with God. Mrs Meyer says that a generous person has a “large soul.” In other words, they are not petty, only thinking about MMI. First, someone with a large soul thinks about God, then they think about others and ways to be a blessing to all.
Generosity is not only talking about money, of course. She says, examples of generosity could be in treating others better than we have to. For instance, taking the time to speak kind words to those who may be waiting on you at a restaurant. Please, Lord, let Your children never ignore someone, or think others are beneath us. Acknowledging others, especially when we do not think we stand to gain anything from them, is honorable, and choosing to be kind with our time and intentionally paying attention to everyone God places in our path, definitely reflects God’s generosity.
Another example of generosity we may not think of being so is when we forgive those who have hurt us. Being merciful towards them frees them from the burden of guilt, as well as freeing us from having to harbor the heavy weight of resentment. Unforgiveness is poison to the unforgiving person’s soul. Both parties benefit greatly when we choose to not count the offender’s actions against them. This is certainly how God treats each one of us, is it not? So as we mature in Christ, God will enlarge our soul so that we will think about how God responds to us, and then generously respond the same way to others. Note: forgiving someone never says what they did is ok. But it does say we will not allow the offense to stop us from reflecting God’s Love towards them.
One more quick example Mrs Meyer shares is also learning to listen to people, and when we hear of a need they have, not all of a sudden becoming deaf! She warns us not to allow the enemy to do our thinking for us as he tries to talk us out of being generous…more on that tomorrow…
14 Good Habits
Behavior 1: The God Habit
Behavior 2: Thoughts, Words and Habits
Behavior 3: The Habit of Being Decisive
Behavior 4: Healthy Habits
Behavior 5: The Happy Habit
Behavior 6: The Faith Habit
Behavior 7: The Habit of Excellence
Behavior 8: The Habit of Being Responsible
Behavior 9: The Habit of Generosity
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
<>< Peace, Diane
