Generosity

According to Notre Dame sociologist Christian Smith, generosity is paradoxical. "Generosity is paradoxical. Those who give, receive back in turn. By spending ourselves for others well-being, we enhance our own standing. In letting go of some of what we own, we better secure our own lives. By giving ourselves away, we ourselves move towards flourishing. This is not only a philosophical or religious teaching; it is a sociological fact."

However, just because generosity is being empirically demonstrated to promote well-being doesn't make it easy to practice. How can we grow in true generosity? In this text, the apostle Paul explains the nature of generosity, the purpose of it, and finally the heart of generosity.