"Marriage: Generosity as a Lifestyle"

Marriage has been described as one of God's most beautiful and sacred gifts. One of the most essential attributes of a happy marriage is adopting a lifestyle of generosity. One of the best ways to be generous in marriage is to give quality time to your spouse. Quality time is not just about giving time but finding ways to make that time memorable. Delight in your spouse and look for ways to surprise them and keep the marriage exciting. Doing all of this with joy is what makes generosity so unique.

A garden is an excellent analogy representing being generous to one another in marriage. Like a garden needs to be watered and cared for to produce fruit, so does your marriage. If you want your marriage to be fruitful, you must be generous with your time and energy. It won't produce anything if you don’t water and weed the garden. The same is true for generosity in marriage – if you don’t give your spouse quality time and attention, your marriage won’t be as strong and healthy as it could be.

Let’s take a look at three scriptures that talk about being kind and generous in marriage. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” This verse encourages us to be kind to our spouses, forgive them when they make mistakes, and model the same kind of forgiveness God has shown us. We can show our spouse's generosity by forgiving them and showing them grace.

Colossians 3:12-14 says, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” This verse tells us to be merciful to our spouse, humble and meek, bear with one another, and forgive like Christ forgave us. We can show generosity to our spouses through charity by putting their needs above our own and loving them unconditionally.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 states: “Two are better than one; they have a good reward for their labour. If they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” The good reward is the benefit of having our spouse when times are tough. This is when we need to be generous by gifting our support. It is important to remember that we are a team as a couple. When one of us falls, we lift one another!

1 Peter 4:8-9 states: “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” We must have fervent love for one another and show kindness. We extend our spouse the same gift of grace and mercy as our Heavenly Father extends to us, even when it is not deserved. We are called to be generous with our love and hospitality, not begrudgingly, but wholeheartedly and not because we have to, but because we want to. Being married to our spouse is a privilege, an honor, and a gift!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 states: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” This verse clearly defines what true love looks like. Love should never be encumbered by self-pride. As a couple, life is not always easy. We share the load with our spouse. When one feels hopeless, the other reminds them that God is the source of hope and that all things are possible. We commit to stand together as a couple, no matter our challenges. When God is at the center of our marriage and it is built on the foundation of our Lord and Savior, there is nothing too complicated that we cannot overcome.

Again, generosity is such an important quality to have in marriage. Generosity in marriage is not about money. It’s about being kind and generous in our words, actions, and behaviors towards our spouse. It’s about looking at our spouse as a precious gift from God and thanking God for that gift every day. With a thankful heart, we will want to give more of ourselves, investing deeper in our marriage.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of my spouse and for the gift of marriage. Please help us to be generous and kind to one another, reminding us to walk in forgiveness, extending the same grace and mercy to our spouse, that You extend to us. Help us to be mindful that we are not alone. We know that you will never leave us nor forsake us, individually or as a couple. Let us remember that through holy matrimony, we are one, a team, supporting one another. While focusing on You and the power of Your love, let us grow stronger together. Let us live a lifestyle of generosity, walking in kindness and love with one another and those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ©Rita Larson 7/14/2023

#BeGenerous #QualtiyTime #LoveMySpouse #OnWordandUpWord

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