“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Pr. 11:25

The teenage daughter of a dear friend of mine did something I’ve never seen before at her birthday party. She chose to celebrate her birthday with friends by asking them to bring items to her home to make sack lunches instead of bringing gifts for herself. After the guests arrived, these teenagers made a party of putting together sack lunches, taking them downtown and handing them out to the homeless. Now what would motivate a young person to do such a thing in a world where the dominant message is to get all you can get for yourself?

The movie Chariots of Fire is the story of Eric Liddell. Known as the ‘Flying Scotsman’, Eric ran for a gold medal in the 1924 Summer Olympics. He was also a dedicated follower of Christ and subsequently served as a missionary in China. In the film, Eric makes this famous comment: “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

I think the young lady I mentioned above knows what Eric Liddell knew—that God made her for a purpose, and that included being generous. I believe that in her act of giving she felt God’s pleasure…a pleasure far superior to the pleasure gained from getting. What can be more refreshing to both the one who receives and the one who gives than to feel God’s pleasure in an act of generosity and love? How prone we are to settle for cheap pleasures when God wants to give us so much more.

Grandparents, how are you cultivating a generous heart in your grandchildren through your own example? I have no doubt that you desire for your grandchildren to know the joy of refreshing others—that it really is more blessed to give than to receive. Keep in mind that we cannot pass on what we do not know and practice. Let me suggest three steps for cultivating a generous life:

1. Do regular life assessments. What brings you the greatest joy and pleasure? Are they things that bless others or focus on you? Examine the things that dominate your life to see how much of what you spend, the time you give, and the things that occupy your thoughts are focused on others.
2. Model—don’t preach! Rather than exhorting your grandkids to give and share, model what a generous life looks like. Continually seek opportunities to give something to others. Ask God to make you a conduit of blessing to someone each day with your finances, your words, or an act of kindness.
3. Retreat from the spotlight. Be generous towards others, but miserly in the need for recognition. Jesus reminded the disciples that their acts of kindness should be done in secret in order to receive the Father’s reward. Your grandchildren will spot a truly generous heart without public accolade.

May God grant each of us the wisdom to understand the difference between true generosity and glory seeking. And may He grant us the courage to do it with all meekness and kindness so we become a refreshing stream of blessing to others.

GRANDPAUSE: What are you doing to cultivate a spirit of generosity in your grandchildren? Will you take a moment to share some of your stories, including some of the challenges and obstacles that you face?