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5 Ways to Choose Generosity

I was heating the grill to cook steaks when our son-in-law pulled in unexpectedly with one of our grandsons. We had two extra steaks in the fridge. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to choose generosity.

I had plans for those extra steaks that didn’t include others.

I had a moral crisis. Choose generosity or cook hotdogs. Either choice is acceptable.

I looked at my wife and said, “Let’s be generous.”

We went out to welcome our guests. I asked, “Have you had dinner?” You know the answer to that question.

I said, “We have a couple extra steaks in the fridge if you would like steak.” They thought that would be great. By this time the grill was hot. I watched my future dinner sizzle for someone else.

5 ways to choose generosity:

#1. Choose your best self.

Do things that would make your momma proud.

Greed, fear, and discontent block generosity. Commitment fuels generosity.

#2. Consider higher purpose.

It’s hard to feel close to stingy people.

Generosity strengthens relationships.

#3. Act responsibly.

Don’t give something that belongs to someone else. Pay your bills before you give money away.

#4. Don’t encourage helplessness.

Don’t repeatedly bail out people.

A young person asked me about loaning money to people who don’t pay it back. I said, “The next time it happens say no but tell them you’d be glad to help them create a budget.”

Generosity that enables irresponsibility isn’t helpful.

#5. Think beyond money.

Time is your most valuable asset. You are your greatest gift to others.

Go ahead and have coffee with someone who wants to talk.

Afterward:

Generosity did more for us than it did for them.

Still curious:

Generosity Makes you Great and Much More

What Is Generosity? (And How to Be a More Generous Person)

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