Three reasons behind generosity

In the next couple of months, I have two 40,000-foot goals. First, I plan on enjoying all the flavors of fall, from dining on the Halloween candy warm-ups to indulging in the New Years-Eve appetizer feasts without -- and here is the key -- needing larger pants in January. Secondly, I plan on trying to be as generous as possible. I hope, though, that my giving far exceeds my consuming.

God has much to say about living a generous life. 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 are two incredible chapters from the Bible that talk about practicing generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:12 says, "For the ministry of this service [giving] is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God." There are three things that happen when we give.

First, it supplies a need. In 2 Corinthians, Paul, who once persecuted Christians, is taking a collection from a church in Corinth to meet the needs of a church in Jerusalem that is in the middle of a famine. People are starving and stress is high, two main ingredients for turmoil.

The most basic thing being generous does is meet needs. This seems so simple and obvious, but when we give, it must meet a need. It means meeting something that someone is lacking that is vital to his or her existence.

Second, giving grows the expression of thanksgiving. When you give it raises the emotion of gratitude because you had something to give. Giving raises an unexplainable appreciation of what you possess and the giving of thanks for what has been provided.

Third, giving increases our joy. There is a direct correlation between the regular practice of generosity and our emotional well-being. Even giving out of reluctantcy produces a feeling of joy that is overwhelming, which fuels more acts of giving.

Most of us are not prone to practicing generosity. Most of us see a need and think that someone should do something. Rarely does it occur to us that we might be that someone. Possessing a regularly generous spirit is a learned condition. When we teach ourselves to give, we will find a fertile garden growing joy.

John Bunyan, the author of the classic book "Pilgrims Progress," says, "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

May we live each day generously.