So many times we think of generosity in terms of finances. We think about end of year donations and our favorite charities, ministries, or our local church. I know I did, and then I heard a recent teaching that challenged my narrow perspective on generosity. 

What does it look like to live with a generous heart to ALL those around me, not just churches, ministries, and charities? That was the question that rocked my limited definition of generosity. What would it look like? Maybe, just maybe… 

It would mean that we would not only give of our money but also of our time. This would mean that we would need to leave margins in our schedules to give of our time just like we would leave margins in our budgets when we go to give of our money. And not just bathroom break amounts of time, a minute here or there. There should be visible white space on my calendar, left intentionally blank for the purpose of giving a listening ear or a helping hand to someone. 

It would mean that we would not only open our wallets but also our hearts. Could this connect back to a listening ear? Absolutely! But it could also mean that we open our hearts with forgiveness when it’s hard and choose to see others with eyes of mercy rather than judgment.  

Living life with a generous heart could also mean that we approach life with through the lens of abundance rather than scarcity. An abundant heart sees life as half full rather than half empty, it approaches life with hope, gratitude, and joy. An abundant heart helps create resilience which helps us trust, reach out, and welcome others in.  

Generosity is about far more than money. It’s about living life with a positive, resilient lens. It’s about welcoming others in and seeing even their very human choices with mercy rather than judgment. It’s about forgiveness and hope even when it’s hard. It’s about making and giving of ourselves and our time to those around us. And how are we challenged to do all of this? Cheerfully, for as it says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, God loves a cheerful giver. Cheers to happy giving!