When we think about God’s attributes we can develop a pretty familiar list:
He is unchangeable, eternal, omnipresent, omniscient, truthful, faithful, and wise. We would include his goodness, love, mercy, grace, patience, holiness, peace, perfection, blessedness, beauty, glory, wrath, jealousy, and righteousness.
But have you ever thought of God as generous? The dictionary defines generosity this way:
1. Liberality in giving or willingness to give
2. Willingness to give money, help, or time freely
3. Giving more than required
It is possible then, to speak of several of God’s attributes under the heading of generosity. Look at how God’s generosity toward us in described:
Isaiah 55.7
Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
Hosea 2.9
“But now I will take back the ripened grain and new wine
I generously provided each harvest season.
Romans 10.12
Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.
John 1.16
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
2 Corinthians 9.8
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9.10
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
It’s clear that God is a generous God.
Why?
Next post: Why is God so generous with us?
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Thanks for your kind words – and for reading! This is the first part of a five-part series being posted this week. I hope you will come back. I would love to hear what you think.
I enjoyed your writing! indeed! Our God IS exceedingly generous!