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1 Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear God, Who cherish and relish his commandments, 2 Their children robust on the earth, And the homes of the upright - how blessed! 3 Their houses brim with wealth And a generosity that never runs dry. 4 Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people - God's grace and mercy and justice! 5 The good person is generous and lends lavishly; 6 No shuffling or stumbling around for this one, But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation. 7 Unfazed by rumor and gossip, Heart ready, trusting in God, 8 Spirit firm, unperturbed, Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies, 9 They lavish gifts on the poor - A generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life! 10 Someone wicked takes one look and rages, Blusters away but ends up speechless. There's nothing to the dreams of the wicked. Nothing. (Psalm 112 The Message Bible)
God is the most generous person I know. Okay, we can debate "person," but think about it. The Bible says God created everything, and thereby, owns everything. And if we think about it some more, God has given you and me all that we have. God's generosity knows no bounds. I love hearing and reading about how at the last second, God has stepped in and provided someone just what they needed. A scholarship check. A can of Spaghett-O's. An invitation to a meal when one didn't have food. A job offer when one had given up hope. Rain when you thought you'd lose everything if it didn't rain. And what I love more is hearing stories about men and women, boys and girls, that have learned from the generosity of God and now live generous lives. They have taken their blessings as lessons, and shared with others. And a generous person shares hope and light with those still living in despair. The psalmist shared his lesson with us today!
The psalmist knew the key to hope. He knew to start his day with a word of praise, like "Hallelujah!" He also knew he could be blessed with light if he had a respectful love towards God, and who daily sought to know more about God by reading and learning God's precious word. And that brings blessings beyond the person - it carries on to the children of that person, and on the homes of the upright, God's blessings, and wealth with a generosity that never runs dry. No darkness, just light in those homes and souls. He knew that the generous person keeps on giving - back to God, to God's people, to the less fortunate.
You gotta love the verse where it says, (v. 9) "They lavish gifts on the poor - a generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life!" Indeed, and amen.
PRAYER: God of love and hope; Father of Generosity and Blessings; rain down Your grace on me so that it pours out in generosity in my back to You and to Yours. In Jesus' name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Live a generous life today and all days!
Receive my blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
