Generosity is a trait that great leaders often exhibit, but it seems to be in short supply these days. I will admit that the recent terrorist activities and hate crimes across the world have brought about a “caring side of mankind” which has been lacking in the past decade or so.
It seems I’ve noticed the decline in generosity ever since Madonna sang, “Material Girl.” But I have noticed the last generation is more willing to reach out to help others and to call for more interaction for those in greatest need. That’s a good sign!
We don’t teach much about generosity anymore in schools, homes, and even in church. Yet, I learned about it as a child in all those places. In fact, I was just remembering great hymns I learned in church as a youth which are no longer sung in our church services. They taught me about the wonderful promises of God for an abundant life. One of my favorite songs had the following chorus line, “showers of blessings” throughout it.
Proverbs tells us about how to have a successful life. Those teachings also tell us that a generous man will have a prosperous life. Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Then in Proverbs 8:27-18 wisdom says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.”
I’ve claimed many of these promises during my life as a Christian, and I am living proof that they are true. Yet, we have a generation of young people who believe they will never be able to prosper at the level of their parents. Many of these youth give up what I knew as the American dream. How sad!
“Life tends to come easily for Americans. As a result we lose respect for property, which, in turn, lowers our response ability in stewardship. (Nathan L. Stone) Peter Wyden gave three reasons “for our sometimes casual attitude toward money in his book, Suburbia’s Coddled Kids:
First, “The Joneses do it!”
Second, parents are determined their children should not have it as “hard” a childhood
as they did.
Third: money is a relatively easy way to satisfy children’s wants when compared to time and attention.”
The results of the above situations is that these children tend to grow up to be selfish and greedy rather than generous themselves. Therefore, to change our nation’s bent toward selfishness, we must teach our youth to think of others as they think of themselves. We must model the generous behaviors and be proactive in speaking to our children about caring for the needs of those less fortunate. Kay