Adventures in Generosity: Prepared
March 24, 2026
In previous posts, I defined generosity as freely giving time, money, resources without expecting anything in return. Generosity comes in many forms. It includes such things as giving of money, listening without judgment, forgiving those who have hurt us, or practicing patience. Generosity has been on my mind lately and I wanted to share what I am learning with you. I am calling this study an adventure. Today, I am thinking about being prepared to be generous. Here are a few things the Bible says about being ready to be generous.
In my experience, the prompting to be generous is spur of the moment. My sister-in-law says: never suppress generous thought. Both Isaiah and the Apostle Paul encourage you to be ready to be generous.
But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. Isaiah 32:8 (NLT)
That is why I thought it necessary to urge these brethren to go to you before I do and make arrangements in advance for this bountiful, promised gift of yours, so that it may be ready, not as an extortion [wrung out of you] but as a generous and willing gift. 2 Corinthians 9:5 (AMPC)
God is love, and generosity is His character. If I am walking in God’s ways, I will develop generosity within my character. This is something I have been actively working on for over 10 years. During that time, I have collected many examples and have experimented with generosity. Here are a few examples of generosity and how to prepare to be generous.
A woman always has postage stamps and notecards, so she is ready to immediately send an encouraging note whenever God puts someone in her thoughts. Before she drops that note in the mail, she prays over it for that person. This approach works even if you are an email or text person.
A lady in the neighborhood prepares an extra big batch of cookies so that she has more than enough for her family and to take a plate of cookies to a neighbor.
Another woman puts calendar reminders on her phone, so she remembers to send an encouraging text or email to a friend who is going through a tough time.
I knew a man who would always carries $10 bills. “Going to the bank” was on his list of things to do every week. He was ever ready to leave an extra big tip or hand a little cash to anyone he encountered that was in need.
As I mentioned in a previous post, God is looking for the prepared and generous. His plan is that both the giver and the receiver benefit from acts of compassion and generosity. God will not abandon a willing giver. Here is how the Apostle Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 9:7:
Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. (AMPC)
I have experimented with generosity myself. When I get a bonus or an unexpected windfall, I set aside some (or all) of it so that I am ready to be generous when God prompts me. I am not sharing this to show what a good person I am. I am sharing it to show how good God is and that He is several steps ahead of us when it comes to generosity. It is part of how he accomplishes He plan.
Some years ago, God prompted me to give several hundred dollars to a young man. I when to the bank and got the money, put it in an envelope, and took it with me when I knew I would see him next. I handed him the envelope and repeated what God told me to say to him. “God told me to give this to you, and He said you know what to do with it.” I had no idea what that meant, and frankly it was none of my business. That was between him and God. I found out later that even though he could have used the money for his family, he gave the whole amount to an acquaintance. That act of generosity produced an opportunity for that young man to share the gospel with this acquaintance.
I was humbled to have been part of leading that man to Christ. I praised God for that blessing. The young man praised God for the opportunity to share the gospel. The acquaintance praised God for His provision in a time of need. God got the thanksgiving and glory, not me. Here is what the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:10-12:
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. (NLT)
I believe that we are God’s hands and feet on the earth and His goodness is expressed through our compassion and generous actions toward others. Being prepared to be generous is a godly practice. I trust that God would never abandon a cheerful giver who is prompted to do it and whose heart is in that giving.
Prayer: Father God, You are the source of all good things. I want to participate in this adventure of generosity with You. Prompt me according to Your plans to be ready and willing to partner with You. Provide me with the resources and the heart to do it quickly and cheerfully. I humbly thank you for all that you have done and will do. Amen.