Generous

Gen*er*ous    
1. Liberal in giving or sharing. 
2. Not petty or mean. 
​ 3. Abundant.
 4. Magnanimous.
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​This is, of course, a dictionary definition. Notice that a monetary value is not mentioned in this description of the word.
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Craig Catlett

I adored my grandparents. My grandfather had the best hugs, was supportive to his family to his dying day, and never had to give us a dime to prove his abundant love for us. Equally generous of time and love was my grandmother. I couldn’t wait to hear another of her legendary bedtime stories, and she was oh so liberal with her time dedicated to us.

Our culture seems fixated with the equation of generosity equaling a monetary amount, yet there are so many ways we can be “generous” without turning a dime.
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Proverbs 11:25 states, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” So let’s try this by starting with family, neighbors, and the people we meet in our daily journey. A simple “Good Morning” to all we meet, done honestly and consistently, establishes the vibe and feeling we would want for ourselves, and inevitably will be returned and “refresh” us as well.

There is a statement in Matthew 10:8 that reads, “Freely you have received, freely give”. We can all think of countless ways that people can freely give as they have received. Volunteer organizations that feed the elderly, take care of animals, fight fires, enrich our children in schools, and establish mission programs all over the world to promote the abundant love we find in our Bible readings.
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There are 2300 verses in the Bible that refer to giving. There MUST be something to it. Let’s start by not being “petty or mean to each other”, instead by being liberal in our giving and sharing, by spreading the abundant love we hold in our hearts, and being magnanimous with our kindness which will surely return to “refresh us”.

​In His Name, Craig