Rethinking Generosity: A Perspective Shift

This week, during a Bible study with some close friends, we found ourselves deep in a conversation about generosity. It wasn’t about money or material gifts, but about what it truly means to live a generous life.

We talked about how generosity isn’t just about what we give—it’s about how it shapes us. When we live generously, we are set free. Free from the endless chase of more, from the weight of comparison, and from the lie that our worth is tied to what we own. Generosity shifts our focus from having to giving, and in that shift, there is freedom.

This conversation flipped my perspective. I’ve always thought of generosity in a fairly simple but solid way:

• Work hard.
• Be responsible with what you spend.
• Find joy in giving to others.

And while that’s not wrong, I realized there’s a deeper layer. True generosity isn’t just about handing out gifts or money—it’s about giving wisely.

Sometimes, generosity looks like writing a check to help someone in need. Other times, it looks like sitting down and listening to their struggles, walking with them through their pain, or providing wisdom and resources instead of just handing them something temporary. Giving recklessly can sometimes do more harm than good. If someone is struggling with addiction and their finances are a mess because of it, giving them more money isn’t the solution. But offering support—helping them find counseling, showing up for them, and walking beside them—that is a form of generosity that can truly change lives.

Generosity isn’t just about giving things. It’s about giving ourselves. Our time, our understanding, our willingness to be present. And when we do that, we don’t just help others—we free ourselves from the grip of greed, selfishness, and the constant need for more.

This week, I learned that generosity isn’t just about what we give—it’s about how we love. And that is a perspective worth holding on to.