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Generosity: A Trait of Love
by Dr. Gary Chapman
GENEROSITY:
giving your attention, time, abilities, money, and compassion freely to others.
The loving person is a generous person. Generosity is giving your attention, time, abilities, and money freely to others.
As I was at our local shopping mall recently, I watched an interesting interaction. The cashier rang up the purchases that had been laid on her counter. When the lady went to pay, she was six dollars short. The lady behind her stepped up and said, "I'd be happy to give you six dollars." "Oh no," the lady said, "I can take some things back." "I insist," she said, "take it as a gift from God." "Oh, well thank you very much, and God bless you." That is an example of generosity.
Generosity is one of the seven characteristics of love. The others are: kindness, patience, courtesy, forgiveness, honesty, and humility.
What would your relationships be like if you....
- Held your possessions in open hands, ready to release them when they were needed? - Gave 10 percent of your income to others? - Took time daily to show an acquaintance, a friend, a child, or a spouse that you were interested in his or her well-being? - Used your abilities to benefit others in creative ways? - Found joy in having a generous spirit toward others, no matter the circumstances?
Article written by Dr. Gary Chapman. Based on the book, Love As a Way of Life by Gary Chapman. Published by Waterbrook Publishing. For a complete listing of Dr. Chapman's books and resources, click here. | 
