Generosity or Waste

It is Generosity or being Wasteful

Happily giving to another…

Whether out of excess or from what little one may have,

Is this being a generous person?

Or is it possibly viewed as being wasteful or careless?

Through a recent experience, I have come to question this at a deeper level.

I have experienced many blessings through the generosity of others, and at times become speechless, (maybe it should be said that many have quoted this to be impossible!) not knowing what to say or how to accept such blessings, as this situation highlights my weaknesses and how its impossible for me to be able to achieve what has just been offered to me.

Learning to accept has, at times, become a challenge for me, especially as it is clear that someone is happily handing over what they have, and doing so willingly – to ME! Will they now be going without? Is that something I should be concerned about? Or do they have plenty anyway?

If I ponder on this for too long, I find that it can begin to diminish the value of the gift and the one who is so willing to be used to bless me. Though on the flipside, it can also awaken me to the willingness of the other person.

There have been plenty of occasions when I have been the willing participant in giving to others; at times giving out of plenty and other times out of a lack, which really then becomes a step of faith for me. (Oh the journey of faith, there’s another chat we can have!)

From this I have learnt that when others give to me, accepting in a gracious and very thankful manner (with an open expression of respect for the poignancy of the gift) is in itself a very important thing. It can be a confirmation that the act is timely and valued.

However, the experience I speak of has me questioning the portions more than the blessing, as I wonder if the characteristics or mannerisms of another person play any part in the giving.

For example, if someone is of the character to ‘upsize’ in life – if they buy, build, offer or view all things on a large scale, will this then flow into the way they give to others? Or will they give regardless of the amount that they have to give from.

And does that mean that someone who is more reserved in how they view life, is only able to see things in a smaller size and consequently will this then flow into the way they give?

Can someone have a smaller mindset and still give to others in a generous manner? Or is the one who has the mindset of larger portions in life the person who is more likely to be the one to give without thought of where it will come from?

Personally, I have the tendency to be very generous, yet lack can also be my drawback, so I often stand back emotionally and consider the move before going ahead. (This is why I value confirmation from others as I mentioned before)

Yet I also have tendency to be as frugal as possible in all aspects of life.

This causes an inner struggle in accepting the way others can at times treat what they have, or the way they give to others. My first thought is often to say how much less could be used now with the rest saved for a later date; like I have a right to question their generosity or way of life!

Therefore I struggle with the concept of giving to others in larger portions, yet I believe this is the only way to give, with an open hand and heart and with no strings attached.

This is a gentle reminder for me: “You have been treated generously, so live generously.” Matthew 10:8

So as I ponder more on this, I challenge myself on learning to let go and give more openly!

Deb
Xx