We have a dog named Daisy. Daisy has taught me multiple lessons on friendship, attitude and true love. It is true that a dog is man’s best friend, and Daisy resembles that. 

The latest lesson from Daisy is about generosity. Daisy always has something to give.

Every morning, when I let Daisy out into the yard, she runs and leaps out the door. I marvel at her desire to run into life and leap into her day. Daisy wakes up every day ready to give her life and energy to others.

I wonder what life would yield to us if we lived every day like Daisy!

Daisy is generous. Generous people energize me. I have noticed there are few truly generous people in life, and, personally, I am learning to develop this trait.

Although I am considered generous in my circle, I always feel I could give more.

We might think there are few generous people in the world because of a lack of resources. However, generosity is never about how much you have, but about how you live. In others words, generosity is not a moment or an event, but a lifestyle.

Winston Churchill wisely said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

Generosity is defined as a readiness or liberality in giving. Generosity means much more than giving wealth. It includes being generous with our attitudes, emotions, thoughts, ideas, time and talents, including our treasures.

Here are a few stats about America and generosity.

• The most generous (by percentage) are the least prosperous.

• The most wealthy give less than 2 percent of their income to charity.

Generosity does not come naturally for most of us. Life says get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the can. Some would even consider generosity a supernatural way to live.

Generosity is not a moment or an event, but a lifestyle.

Here are a few thoughts on generosity.

1. Generosity is generated from a grateful spirit.

It is proven that whatever we are grateful for, we are generous toward. In other words, our greatest generosity is toward the people or things we are thankful for.

If we are grateful for our car, we are generous to care for it. If we are grateful for our mom and dad, we are generous toward them.

If we are grateful for our church, we are generous toward our church.

Proverbs 22:9 … He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.

2. Generosity is never a guessing game.

Ever been to one of those lunches and you wondered who’s paying? The poser always acts as if they are willing. However, the truly generous makes it clear from the beginning.

The generous ones demand the tab immediately and take the mystery out of who is picking up the tab. 

Generosity should not a guessing game, but a blessing game. The truly generous go there first.

Those living a life of generosity are very intentional. They simply step up and lead the way.

3. Generosity is contagious.

Extravagant acts of generosity can amaze and startle the world. When others see certain acts of generosity, they are inspired to replicate.

On several occasions, our church has entered the realm of contagious giving. This has occurred because someone would give extravagantly. Maybe it would be the children or the poorest among us. We have also seen the wealthy give extravagant gifts.

Generosity is no respecter of persons. It inspires everyone to go higher, give sacrificially and develop a lifestyle of giving. Developing generosity is about looking for people, places and things to share our time, talents and resources.

Isaiah 32:8 … But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand. Look at that. A generous man devises generous things. This means that we are shrewd in discovering, planning and sharing our wealth and energy with the world.

Let’s learn to develop a generous spirit. Just think what a difference we can make!

I think we should consider these questions:

Is generosity normal for me?

Where do I need to develop generosity?