Part 1 - Generosity Doesn't Require Wealth

The Generosity Habit was sent to me as a member of the Ambassador Club (non-affiliated link below if you are interested). I haven't touched it since I got it, but my recent article on tithing brought it to mind.

Cover of "The Generosity Habit" by Matthew Kelly. Image Credit: Dynamic Catholic

It often takes me a long time to read a book because I get a few pages in and it gets me thinking. As you may have read in my article on tithing, I love being generous, but I will be completely honest and say instances of generosity are pretty hit and miss. If you asked my siblings who gives the most in the family, I doubt I would make the list. If your conscience is nagging you right now as well, then welcome aboard!

The Generosity Habit

Matthew opens the book (and video below) by saying:

The generosity habit is simple: Give something away every day. It doesn't need to be money or material things. In fact, the philosophy behind the generosity habit rests on this singular truth: You don't need money or material possessions to live a life of staggering generosity (pg.3).

Personally, I think giving away time is harder to give away than money or material things. Why? Well, as hard as it is to pick out gifts for birthdays and holidays, or how many yards I had to mow as a kid to come up with that money in the first place, it is pretty easy to surf Ebay or Amazon while brushing your teeth, press a button, and have it show up in a box ready to wrap.

One particular area of opportunity for me is my littlest sister. She is in love with stories. Mom must read her at least a dozen books a day (though sometimes the same story over and over!). Here lies the hard part - she has no concept of homework; she is five. She has no idea why big sister is running around with her hair on fire because there is homework due tonight, appointments in the afternoon, and an honor society meeting tomorrow that still needs an agenda. It can be really hard to be generous when she asks for a story, you say "yes", and then she shows up with this enormous book (that literally has chapters) and expects you to sit and read the whole thing. The hurt look on her face when you limit the story to 20 minutes takes away from the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with giving of ourselves.

As I was writing I was thinking to myself, "I don't know if that is a very good example..." but how many times have we been on a generous streak when someone grumps at us at the grocery store and kills the vibe. Jesus instructed us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44-47), therefore, I have to keep reminding myself that love is a choice not a feeling. Despite others having a lack of appreciation for my gift, I must remember to keep being generous anyway. Afterall, anyone can be generous to some who appreciates them! It's time for me to grow a little backbone.

Sources:

Kelly, M. (2021). The Generosity Habit. Blue Sparrow.

Bible passages take from the Great Adventure Bible (Revised Standard Version: Second Catholic Edition)

Non-affiliate link: Buy "the Generosity Habit" from Dynamic Catholic

Matthew's Generosity video on YouTube

More information on the Dynamic Catholic Ambassador Club