Be Generous

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With the holidays quickly upon us, it is easy to find ourselves wrapped up the hype of gift giving. We all like getting and giving gifts around this time of year. We love feeling appreciated. We love being recognized, if even by obligation.

Generosity is more than just giving a gift you picked up at Nordstroms, Khols or ToysR’Us. It is the attitude and spirit behind why we give. It is being aware of the needs and desires of others and actively doing something to meet those needs and desires.

The other day, I spent a few hours of my busy week to wander the beach in Los Angeles and sit and get to know a few of our beautiful homeless community. I couldn’t help but think about buying them new shoes, clothes or even finding a warm bed for each and every one of them. It would be so easy to hand over a little cash and meet an obvious need.

I’ve learned over the years, that although physical gifts are necessary, true generosity goes beyond that. True generosity requires loving your neighbor. It requires looking folks in the eye and listening. It requires being present.

Loving your neighbors requires first knowing your neighbors. Who are they? What are their names? Listen to not just their words, but their heart.

Knowing your neighbors breeds empathy. We begin to experience the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another. We feel their pain and struggles. We also feel their joy and victories.

Empathy removes fear and thus provokes the truest of love. Once fear is silenced and the walls are down, you are in a position to experience true love…experience true generosity.

This love, this generosity, is not the goal, it is the prerequisite to a life worth living.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

‘Tis the Season

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The temperature is dropping…even in Los Angeles (at least at night). The mountains have snow. The surfers are wearing full body suits. Nordstroms finally has it’s Holiday decorations out. Starbucks baristas are wearing red holiday aprons. The smell of burning firewood can be smelled in certain neighborhoods. The twinkle lights at Disneyland are shining bright. Hipsters are wearing UGGs, winter TOMS and cashmere scarves. Ice skating rinks are setup and full of children and giddy couples trying their best not to fall. Sailboats and yachts are getting decorated for the boat parades. Whether you live in Los Angeles, Toronto, Brooklyn, Houston or Miami…you should be aware by now that it is the holiday season.

Hanukkah Menorahs, Christmas trees, Mangers, Advent Calendars and long lines of kids waiting to see Santa.

The holidays are an important time for most people. For me, they are a time to spend precious moments with some of my family I don’t get to see as often. A time to cozy up next my sister’s fireplace and play with my “great” nephew and niece. A time to recall the fond memories of celebrating Christmas when I was a kid. A time to reflect on God’s gift of love to us and how it has changed my family’s destiny.

The holidays can be difficult for some as well. They can be time where they feel most lonely. A time where they feel burdened by the stress of commercialism. A time where finding a warm place to sleep inside from the cold can be near impossible. A time of poor decisions and potential regrets.

Many of us are blessed to have great family and friends surrounding us during this season. We are blessed to have the resources to buy new 42″ flat screen and an iphone 4S. We are blessed to have a cozy fireplace to sit next to and sip hot cocoa. However, many are not. This holiday season, be generous. Not only to the normal people on your Christmas shopping list, but also to the family who couldn’t get a bed at the shelter, the elderly grandmother next door who’s family is not visiting this year, the kids spending Christmas in the hospital or even the man spending time in prison for making poor choices in life. Be generous to them as well.

The Bible says,

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

I know this can sound kind of depressing, but understand this, “the generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)” Be a blessing to others this holiday season and you in turn will be blessed. Bring joy to someone who desperately needs it and you in turn will be filled with joy.

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Homeless to Stockbroker

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Ever see the 2006 Will Smith movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness” about the rage to riches story of real-life Christopher Paul Gardner? You know you’ve made it when Will Smith is portraying you in a biographical movie. Maybe one day someone will write a movie about your life.

Will & Jaden Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness"

In and out of foster care as a child, this entrepreneur, whose net worth was estimated at $65 million in 2006, got hit by life. in the early 1980s, his wife divorced him and he was homeless on the streets of San Francisco trying to take care of his young son. As a traveling medical equipment salesman, Gardner was determined to make it as a stockbroker. He took a non-paid position as a trainee at Dean Witter Reynolds.

Will Smith & Chris Gardner

With little money, Gardner and his son slept in parks and public restrooms after Gardner worked as many hours as he could to become the top banker at his firm.

 

It all paid off: in 1987, Gardner started his own brokerage firm in Chicago.

Gardner worked hard for everything he got. What tenacity!

“Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.” Proverbs 14:23 MSG

When you have a dream, you cannot let circumstances dictate your destiny. Work hard and work smart. Put in your time and you will see a reward. Whether you have a dream of being an actor, screenwriter, singer, teacher, entrepreneur or even a stockbroker, don’t give up just because life knocks you down. Stand strong and press on.

 

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