DIVINE Magazine"Be Encouraged. Be Grateful. Be Inspired."

So much has been given to us if we take the time to think about it. We’ve been given life, freedom and luxuries. The list could go on and on but we all have so much that we can be thankful for and now it’s time to turn the table and be generous. This year, I admonish you to be more generous with your time, your talents and your treasures.

We often tell people, “If you ever need anything let me know,” when what we really mean is “I hope that if you ever need me I’m able to help.” However, what a person who has experienced a sudden loss of a job, a loved one, a home, etc., needs most is consistency and simple generosity. If you’ve ever had to depend on someone else for a ride to work, gas money, to watch your children, or to even pray for you, then you know what it means for someone to keep their word (consistency) and you know the value of someone doing something for you out of the kindness of their heart (generosity). If you’ve never needed anyone just keep living, one day you will.

In John 15:12, Jesus reminds us of his commandment to love one another, as he loved us.
Jesus showed us a level of love that is incomprehensible in that he died on the cross for our sins before we were even born. “No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends” John 15: 13. Jesus considered us to be his friends long before we were even born and he expects us to be selfless and generous to our family, friends and even strangers. "As I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples..." John 13:24.

TIME
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that there is a time for everything. Be generous in the time that you give to God in reading the Word, worship and prayer. Be generous in the time that you give to your place of worship and make time to serve on a ministry team. Be generous in the time that you make for your family and for your friends. When you make time for others you plant seeds of prosperity, overflow and favor into your life. You need to also be generous in the time that you give yourself. You can’t be what you need to other people if you don’t take time for yourself.

TALENTS
You’ve been blessed with a talent to inspire, sing, encourage, dance and so on. If you are still trying to discover your purpose, draw from that thing that comes naturally to you. Whatever talent that you possess, you should be generous to share with others. If you have a talent to sing, but you aren’t a part of the Praise & Worship team, you might be missing out on an opportunity to change your life and someone else’s. If you have a heart for the homeless but you have never volunteered at a homeless shelter, then you may be missing your moment. Allow your talents to be a blessing to others. "A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men" Proverbs 18:16.

TREASURES
God has blessed many of us with nice homes, cars, boats, clothes, and money. You are not required to give away everything that you work hard for but you are expected to be generous to those in need. Don’t be so attached to things that you refuse to make room for more blessings that are stored up in heaven for you. When you give to others more will be given to you and you’ll be connected to the destiny of the person that you help. You also position yourself for overflow so that you can continue to pour into others.

Be generous this year & “Be Encouraged. Be Grateful. Be Inspired.”