"The liberal shall be made fat." This is one of the bountiful dispensations of Providence, that the more you give away, the more you have. The generous often find themselves richer rather than poorer while the grudging seem to lose what they so carefully hoard, seeing it dwindle in its usefulness.

Generosity is without doubt a God-like quality, a human likeness of the open-handedness of God whom the Psalmist describes as "opening his hand to satisfy the desire of every living creature". Those most conscious of the bounty of God, in turn become bountiful. They are large hearted, their own liberality brings them happiness and peace. There is nothing mean or petty about their dealings with any situation; nothing trivial in their outlook, in their way of life. It is not only material wealth in which the generous display their benevolence but in sympathy, in interest and in practical kindness.

There are many people in distress who do not need money, who are much more in need of a kind word, of some cheerful company or useful deed to assist them in sadness or difficulties they often try to hide. All generous souls have not money to give. They give themselves, their time their talent, their knowledge, their work, the love and compassion of their hearts, that others may be satisfied with strength, with revived hope, with new courage or with assistance in periods of illness and helplessness. Like the Apostles they say to the lame, "we have neither silver nor gold but what we have we give you." What they gave was power to put a man back on his feet.

The widow casting her mite in the Temple treasury won the approval of Christ. He pointed out she had given all she had, which was an act of generosity surpassing those who gave of their abundance. They never missed what they gave. It never cost them anything to give, but the poor woman had given her every last penny to God. Giving to God is only giving back what is His own. Life and all its gains are God's gifts to men. The Christian pilgrim especially realises that he is merely the steward of God, that what he has received must be wisely used, that he must bring his accounts to the great day of reckoning.

"Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. With the same measure that you give shall it be given you again." This is the measure of God, a giving God who has supplied everyone with something they can do or give daily. The mean are warped characters but the generous, liberal givers are men and women made in the image of God. Satisfying the needs of others they are themselves more than satisfied.

Were the whole realm of Nature mine

That were an offering far too small.

Love so amazing, so Divine

Demands my heart, my life, my all.