Generosity

From chapter 21 of The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, John C. Maxwell points out that "generosity isn't an occasional event. It comes from the heart and permeates every aspect of a leader's life, touching his time, money, talents, and possessions." As we face increasingly difficult econonic times, it will become even more imperative to share with those who have greater needs than ourselves. Maxwell offers tips for fostering the trait of generosity...

1. Be grateful for what you have. Contentment cultivates true happiness.

2. Put people first. "The measure of a leader is not the number of people who serve him, but the number of people he serves."

3. Don't allow the desire for possessions to control you. I love a quote Maxwell provided from a friend. He said the world is made up of three kinds of people, "Haves, have-nots, and have not paid for what they have."

4. Regard money as a resource. According to E. Stanley Jones, "Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. It it gets on top and you get under it, you will become its slave."

5. Develop the habit of giving. Richard Foster states, "Just the very act of letting go of money, or some other treasure, does something within us. It destroys the demon greed."

How will you demonstrate generosity today?