God is a Generous God

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous,
teach me to serve you as I should,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and ask not for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your most holy will.

 As a young child, I have to admit that I was deprived with a lot of things that I wanted and even sometimes needed in life. For many children, having a birthday party is the happiest and funniest occasion they look forward to celebrate together with their family and friends. Wearing party cups, playing with friends, eating delicious food, popping out colorful balloons, and receiving beautiful gifts are some of the fun and memorable events I wished I have experience.

One day, I saw many children on the street playing with this very popular toy called flying T. You have to twist the stick up and it will fly high like helicopter. I was very eager to have one and felt very envious at the same time. I cannot buy it considering that it was not really that expensive, thus, I stole the money of my mother. When she found out that her money was missing, I saw her crying in deep pain. It was her hard earned money from selling balut (duck eggs). I felt very guilty and I put back the money where I took it until my brother found it.

Also, I remember watching television in the house of my godmother together with my youngest brother. She was very strict up to the point of humiliating us because she didn’t like the way we sit on her sofa or the way we behave at times. My brother and I became insensitive to her grotty behavior just to finish the show we were watching.

As a student, I would remember my friends sharing their food during meal time. I would get a plate and they would put their share of food as my lunch. From elementary, high school, and college, I have lived that kind of life with my good and generous classmates.

Now that I am able to provide at least my basic needs and sometimes buy the things that I want, I just realized that all these significant events in my life have molded me to become a better and generous person God wanted me to be. I think that I would not be able to learn and acquire the value of hard work, perseverance, patience, simplicity, humility, and generosity if God did not allow me to go through all these challenging events in my life as a Christian.

I was inspired and still being inspired by my parents, siblings, nephews, nieces, friends, teachers, the saints, and most especially God to be generous without expecting anything in return. To share everything that I have in a cheerful way and let others feel God’s love and magnanimity.

Since the day we were created by God, He never stopped outpouring all His love and generosity to each and every one of us. In Jeremiah 29:11 it says; “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“When will you start giving for God or will you just be content to  keep everything that you have to yourself?”