Dec 3 - What Is True Generosity?

Instead of using the word 'Giving,' I chose 'Generosity' for the title of this blog. I know it probably wasn't the best idea from a googling standpoint or for great ease in remembering the name of the site, but there was a reason I did it.

Generosity is a more complex word and not often used in our society today. I believe there is a reason for that. Generosity is defined as a readiness and liberality in giving. It's the freedom from smallness of mind and character. It's magnanimous! (I love that word!) Generosity is bountiful and abundant. Generosity is nobility in thought and behavior. (I really like where this is headed!)

The antonym of Generosity (that's the opposite of the word for those of you that are trying pull up the mental file from grade school English of what exactly that word means) is stingy, petty, mean, and selfish. Ouch.

Then there is the meaning of Giving: to yield, to give in, to concede, bestow a gift. You're probably thinking 'Giving doesn't sound too bad.' and 'How could it be any different than Generosity?' The defintition from my perspective was somewhat alarming.

When I looked up Giving, I naturally assumed that it would be almost identical to Generosity. But I was shocked to find that the definition doesn't sound very noble or inspirational at all. The definition of Giving sounds like I would be giving under pressure, almost a 'half to' kind of thing. Like I finally said, 'Okay, fine, I'll give. But don't make me do it again.'

So, on Day 3 of this Experiment, I ask you - What are you doing to countdown to Christmas? Are you being Generous or Giving? It's not a an issue about which word you use, but which definition you embody. Examine your heart and let me know what you find. I don't know about you, but I want to be noble and magnanimous!

"Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. " - 2 Cor 9:11

Countdown to Christmas - A New Kind of Advent

It’s Thanksgiving afternoon and we’re on our way home from my in-laws. My thoughts and the conversation in the car quickly transitions to Christmas - getting the decorations out of the attic, what time to set the alarm for Black Friday, and the plans for the next 4 weeks. I’m already anticipating Christmas morning. But somewhere deep down inside - at a soul level - I feel like a Christmas tree that’s just been put up in the living room and her ornaments have become dull and lost their luster. I don’t want this Christmas season to be just about gifts, food, and family. I don’t want Christmas to be predictable. I want this December to be different. I want to keep my focus on Jesus’ birthday. I want sparkle back in my Christmas!


I consider myself a pretty giving person. I’m sure you do, too. But due to the economic events in our country, and now the world, I’ve been wondering what true generosity looks like. I’ve been praying for God to show me how He thinks about it. I found some great verses where He talks about just that in 1 Corinthians. One that stood out - ‘God will give you many opportunities to do good, and He will produce a great harvest of generosity in you.“


Then it hit me, this is the perfect time of the year to do a little challenge: starting Dec 1st, my countdown to Christmas will be to pray that God would show me every day an opportunity where I can truly give, that He will teach me what true generosity is, and that He would reap all of the honor and praise. What could be a better birthday present for Jesus?

As we were driving along, I started thinking about how to take the challenge as a family and what it would look like in daily life. One thing I quickly recognized is I have to do my part and be prepared. :

• There are different types of giving - time, money, serving, gifts, food, hospitality, patience, etc.


• Different types of people - family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, strangers, etc.


• I had to pray for the opportunities and listen


• I had to think in advance what I might need - cash in my pocket for those without, time to research ministries and organizations that need my time or money this season, or the forethought to recognize what was already in my closets not being used.


• I wanted to document my experience to keep me accountable, to keep focused every day, and help me to remember next year how God had worked in our lives.


• I wanted to share this idea with you and hopefully have you join me in this Generosity Experiment

So, I’m off to the bank to withdraw some cash so my husband and I will have money in our pockets for the next giving opportunity, followed by a Christmas shopping trip to the mall where I’m sure I will have plenty of chances to open doors for others, allow someone in front of me in line, drop more than some change in the Salvation Army kettle, and even buy lunch for the person behind me in the line at the food court.

Will you do the Generosity Experiment with me? Please let me know if you do. I’ll be posting my stories along with yours’. I’d love to hear your ideas, too, of creative ways to give. I can’t wait to see what God does through us this Christmas season.