Generosity begins with God. We give because we’ve been given to. Generosity is a natural response that flows from our own experiences. Nothing that is really foundational in life is earned or deserved: life, health, family, friendship, each breath…they are gifts freely given. When we begin to experience that existential truth, the spiritual mystics say that we can begin the spiritual practice of generosity, and even extravagant generosity. It flows from gratitude. The two practices are interconnected in the ordinary and the extraordinary of things of life.
In the pastoral letter we can 1st John (in the Second Testament) the apostle writes:
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
1 John 4:17-19 [The Message Translation]
Pay attention today to the moments, or times when you feel blessed, are cognizant, intimately aware of how you have been gifted with life and the un-earnable gifts in life. When are they? Where are you? Who are you with? What does that awareness stir inside you, or move to do, say or be?