Generosity

What part does gratitude play in generosity?

This is a thought that has been running through my mind for the last week or so. At this point I think gratitude is absolutely necessary for generosity. You can't give away what you don't have - or what you don't THINK you have. Gratitude is the acknowledgement that you are blessed - at least to some degree. Therefore, you do have something to give.

That being said, I don't think generosity is an automatic outflow of gratitude. For those of us who have been challenged with gratitude issues in the past, I think it's definitely part of the process. But expecting to "feel" generous immediately can be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Yesterday in church the pastor said something that has stuck with me. No matter how little, everyone has something. So now I am trying to envision how to give out of what I have. I have to be honest....I'm stuck here. At this point, even though I am working on gratitude, I am having a hard time envisioning all of my financial obligations being met. Because I can't see HOW, I doubt. (Lord, help me in my unbelief!) It's hard to be or feel generous in that state of mind.

So this week I work on seeing through God's eyes.....allowing myself to entertain the idea that He really will provide my needs....and more, as I step into generosity.