Generosity
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This document discusses the character quality of generosity. It provides examples of generous people like a mother who doesn't eat her pie so her children can, and encourages being generous with praise. It emphasizes investing in others without expectation of return. Generosity as a community is defined as gaining resources and investigating real needs to value people over money. The story of two boys sharing candy illustrates how noticeable generosity is. Historical figures like William Colgate and Henry Crowell practiced extreme generosity, giving away most of their incomes, and found success. The document encourages groups to brainstorm ways to give to others in their community.
Generosity
- 1. Generosity Generosity vs. Stinginess Carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need.
- 2. Example: A mother with four pieces of pie for five people will announce she is just not hungry and watch her children and husband eat the pie. Where is her reward? What other character qualities do you see here?
- 3. Be generous with praise: Be generous with praise when others display good character. Tell the cashier thanks when she loads up your bag. Let the officer know that you appreciate him doing his job when you are pulled over.
- 4. We must take an interest in generosity. Without interest, there is no investment. Without investment there is no future. If we want a future for our children, we must invest in their lives in many ways. And we must make a sacrifice to do so. This is a character quality of generosity.
- 5. How can we practice generosity as a community? G- Gain resources to help the ones in need. I- Investigate the real needs in the community. V- Value the people more than the money. E- Evaluate the situation to see if it needs attention. (don’t let the investment go to waste.) Whatever you do, do it because it’s right, and don’t be attached to the results.
- 6. Generosity is a character quality that is very noticeable. Two little boys were given chocolates by their grandfather. The first took the chocolates and ran to his bedroom, tore into it and stuffed the candies into his mouth. The other boy unwrapped the chocolates in front of his grandfather and looked carefully through the candy. He then held the candy up to his grandfather and said, “thank you for the candy, would you like to choose your favorite first?” Which boy do you think will the grandfather want to give too in the future?
- 7. William Colgate believed in giving all that he had to meet the needs of people through the church. At the end of his life, his yearly income –100% was given away to others that had needs. Two hundred years later, we still brush with his toothpaste, and wash with his soap, and they still make millions to give to the needy.
- 8. Henry Crowell, founder of Quaker Oats Company gives more than 60% of his income to help others through the church. He states, “you can’t be more generous than God.” J.L. Kraft from Kraft cheese, gave 25% of all he made for good Christian causes. And contributes this to the success of his company. Generosity will always pay you back in some way.
- 9. Group As a group, think of ways that you can give to others in this season. Think of different ways of giving to truly meet the real needs that are in the community. Shelter, food, clothes, finance, time, or just a friend to talk to. Discuss different new ideas in the groups.