This week we are continuing our series, How to be Happy in Tribulation. We are looking at seven mindsets, or spiritual disciplines that will enable us to walk in joy and contentment while overcoming tribulations. The fifth mindset is generosity. Usually we think of being made happy by external things; our needs being met. But this week, we look at how generosity will actually cultivate and reflect a happiness that goes beyond material blessings.
We are called to be like God. 1 Peter 1:15-16 talks about being like God. Why is that important? Because God is generous! He loves to give. It's His very nature.
Matthew 7:11 finds Jesus talking about how much more our Heavenly Father would give to us than we would give to our own children. God isn't living on a budget!
Romans 8:32 shows us how generous He is, how freely God will give us all things.
There is a legal term that is often used in the context of a contract; 'The greater includes the lesser'. In other words, if you are given the right to the entire house, it's assumed that you are given the right to the rooms inside it. The greater includes the lesser. Because God gave us His Son, we can know that He will give us anything else we need. God has already given us the greatest gift He will ever give us! His Son, Jesus Christ. So, why would He hold back on our basic needs?
God is generous. We are called to be like God. When we fulfil our calling, we are happy. So when we're generous, we are being like God and fulfilling our calling, which leads to happiness.
Paul sums it up in Philippians 4. He has learnt the secret of being content. He also says in verse 19 that God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.
Do you believe that today? Because generosity comes from a heart that knowsour needs will be met by our Heavenly Father. The generous person trust God as his provider. When you realise that God will take care of your needs, you will become a generous person.
As you practice generosity, and the other mindsets in this series, our prayer is that you see the fruit of joy and happiness in your life.
Generously,
Upstream Worldwide Ministries
