Generosity, Compassion & Acts of Kindness

Generosity is encouraged. This is something we teach our youth today, repeating at times, the need to share and act kindly and compassionately towards siblings, friends, those new we meet and listen to the parents and adults in kind as well.

Yet, can we honestly say in our busy, active lives, that we take the time or effort to be as kind, giving or compassionate to each other, in relationships, in business, doing whatever form of community outreach we feel matches our personality or even to our families and children, as well, or as much as we teach or "preach" to others to be, on a conscious and deliberate basis? Are we genuine or doing a few acts here and there for the sake of "appearances or just to do something out of guilt?"

Ask yourself how many times in a week it becomes hindsight, when you say to yourself, "oh, I could have or wish I would have said or done something differently" in any given situation or circumstance? Generally this transpires because we do not take the mere moment it takes to pay attention to what we say or do to act with generosity, compassion and kindness by being aware of what we are doing right in front of us and what we are thinking and thus saying; as well as paying attention to what is being said to us verses assuming or planning what to say next in offense, defense or in accordance to a past event, conversation or assumed "knowing" of another's personality, therefore assuming knowing their mind, thoughts, feelings and words before they even speak them to you.

Paying attention to the reality of this, now - ofcourse we know this isn't realistic, because you are not anyone else, but you. However, in a quick moment, and generally when you just "want what you want " you mind and/or your ego will tell you that you do know "everything" including being someone else, their ideals, feelings, thinking, etc and your right, so just ask you. Sound familiar? It's okay, we have all experienced it. By the same token, it is also just as easy to redirect our thinking, because it really is not in control; we are the one "observing" the experience when we are paying attention.

These poor habits can be corrected within, simply by paying attention to what is actually transpiring and active listening by temporarily choosing to hear what another is saying verses listening to your own mental chatter first, about what is being or going to be said and/or done. The goal, ofcourse, is to decrease the number of times we are looking at hindsight, since this cannot be changed, however, one can be accountable, apologize and/or acknowledge ones behavior in order to help his/herself in the process of growth and self awareness, as well as the others s/he may have effected along the way in their spiritual/mental, and/or emotional/physical path in life.

Then it is possible for a person to become proactive and even create better relations personally and professionally, as well as take steps intended to realize better potential in how to reach out with generosity, kindness and compassion that you find fulfilling for you and those you intend to reach and support.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 states, " ⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written:

"They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever."

¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (1)

What a blessed reminder this scripture is; so let's review it to ensure we understand according to today's context and way of living.

As we read, we see the explanation that by whatever means and/or intention we give by, is by the same we receive in life (what you sow; you reap -if it is sparingly, you receive that; if it is abundant, you receive by this). By the same token, we are to give what feels right in our heart and not because we feel pressured by society, a structure, others, guilt, compulsively but with good intention and out of the joy of giving itself as well as according to the means of what you have available to you and right for you, and none other.

So in other words, if you have abundance in wealth and you are moved in your heart to feed the poor and create a foundation, then this is right for you. If your abundance is in creative cooking and you are moved to help prepare meals in the church functions or fix meals for those in need, then this is right for you. If your gift understands scripture and you are moved in your heart to share its meaning with many, then this is right for you.

Perhaps you are one who provides the cook or the baker with the goods to cook, and then this is right for you. Perhaps you are the one who travels and delivers the foods to the homes after meals are prepared, and then this is right for you. Or those whom prepare and run the foundation whom were so led to do so, this is right for you. Those whom were led to assist the wealthy in the process in delivery of masses of food, clothing and shelter goods, this is right for you. Perhaps you work well with children, so you feel in your heart to work in church nursery; this is right for you.

For another it maybe other forms of ministry, such as blessing homes, praying with the sick, running a Native American sweat lodge, laying on of hands and healing, gardening and sharing the crops -regardless the amount, giving of their time to assist with any need upon a request (random act of kindness), and the list can continue according to each individual -which each is correct for them.

As the scripture continues, it clarifies that as these acts of generosity, kindness and compassion are done with conscious intention (and not all necessarily have to be with the knowledge of others or the knowledge of the receiver at all times -you may realize this in further scripture study) you are, in the very act of doing, giving praise to God and acting according to the Christ consciousness and living according to the very example that Christ was immolating for you to follow.

By this we may now also realize that includes the behavior of our speech, our words, and our actions in general towards other. Should we speak out of kindness, we attain a positive response or result in the long run. Should we treat others out of disrespect, compulsion and anger (even out of guilt, so we act with disregard for another because of our inner disregard), then the response from another reaps that "seed" -the negative response or repercussion (regardless if our thoughts justify it or excuse it; truth and reality are still affirmed by the result, which cannot be denied, even if you choose to hide or deny it). This is an example Christ demonstrated as a Master Teacher.

And it is for this truth and reality, that we are blessed and our lives made abundant, not only according by the miraculous gifts abound, but by the acts that we live by and that we live by our acts; i.e. we are living as God intended his good people to live thus blessing each other.

When we bless one another, we see the goodness and his "likeness of spirit" from which we were all first made before created in body, as well as acting as one body and thus functioning in unity '"as a community.

When one is blessed with the gift of wealth, s/he shares it in his community; when the others gift is good crops for food s/he shares; the other is the preparer of the food; the other blesses the food and the families; another teaches and preaches; the entire community thus is teaching and raising the children and families by goodness.

Then all are blessed by God's wealth, Spirit and abundance and generosity, through each of us with his Holy presence.

This concludes the sharing for today in mastering yourself in order to realize "The Master."

(1) 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 NIV