Generous Givers Are Happy People - HOW WE CAN ENJOY GOD'S FAVOR

Jehovah wants his human creation to imitate him, so it makes him happy when we are generous.  (Ephesians 5:1)  It is very clear from the way that we are made and from the beauty and riches of our natural environment that God wants humans to be happy.  (Psalm 104:24; 139:13-16)  Hence, we honor him when we strive to make others happy.

True Christians imitate the Christ, who provided us  with the perfect example of how a human can be generous.  Jesus himself stated:  "The Son of man came, not to be minister to but to minister and to give his life as a ransom in exchange for many." (Matthew 20:28) Hence, the apostle Paul urged Christians; "Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus . . .He emptied himself and took a slave's form."  (Philistines 2:5, 7)  Each of us would do well to ask, 'Can I  follow Jesus' example even more closely than I am already doing?' -Read 1 Peter 2:21.  

We can enjoy Jehovah's favor by imitating Christ's perfect examples, by being interested in the welfare of others, and by looking for ways to care for their needs. Indeed, in the parable of the neighborly Samaritan, Jesus made clear that he expected his followers to go out of their way to help others, even those of a different background. (Read Luke 10:29-37) Do you recall the question that moved Jesus to recount the parable of the neighborly Samaritan? A Jew asked him:  "Who really is my neighbor?"  Jesus' answer shows that like the Samaritan we must be willing to give generously if we are to enjoy God's favor.  

Christians have many good reasons to practice generosity.  For example, this quality is related to the issue Satan raised in the garden of  Eden. How so?  Satan asserted that Adam and Eve -and by extensions all humanity-would be better off focusing on themselves and putting the pursuit of their own interests ahead of obedience to God. Even acted out of a selfish  desire to be like God.  Adam manifested a selfish desire to please Eve.  (Genesis 3:4, 6)  The results of their decisions are plain to see.  Selfishness does not lead to happiness; quite the opposite.  By being generous, we demonstrate our conviction that God's way of doing things is the best. 

Next time: Generous Givers Are Happy People - FULFILLING THE ROLE GOD HAS GIVEN HIS PEOPLE

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