My mom was a very generous person. When I took over handling her finances for the last five years of her life, I discovered that she gave monthly to twenty charities and annually to several others. I want to be a generous man because I want to be more like Mom …and more like Jesus, too. The Bible has a lot of good things to say about generosity. It all starts with this truth: God is generous to us. Today, let’s listen to a passage that can help to motivate us to be generous people:

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.  (Psalm 112:5–7, 9)

In today’s passage we learned good will come to those who are generous and just. As a renowned Bible teacher once said, “The Bible always speaks well of generosity, but it has nothing good to say about stinginess.” God’s blessings are not only financial; they are also emotional. Those who are generous won’t live in fear of bad news. They may receive bad news but it won’t shake them. Why? Because they are trusting the Lord. The psalmist also says that “he has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor.” The Scriptures make it clear that God cares deeply about poor people. And if you and I want to be like God, we must be committed to helping the poor in practical ways. If we neglect the poor, we will not experience the grace and presence of Jesus in our lives the way God intended.

Do you want to know the Presence and blessings of God in your life and live without fear? Be more like Him…learn to live generously!