Being generous is born in being shown generosity

Our recent school-wide Mufti Day raised funds for our Compassion Sponsor Children. We are grateful for the generosity of our students, who were able to raise excess of what was required.

Our theme for Chapel this term is Service across K-12. We are not merely telling students they should serve, or have to. We have spent time focussing on the why before the how, who and what.

Before I was married, I lived in a flat in Collaroy. Whenever I had mates come around, I would offer them Carmens Muesli Bars. They would comment on how generous I was with muesli bars, as I was always handing them out. Whilst this was the case on the surface, the truth was that my mum would buy me multiple 24 packets of Carmens Muesli Bars. I had 100’s of muesli bars in the cupboard.

I was able to give, because I had been given much.

I was generous because I as shown generosity.

In our lives, we have been given much by our families, school, community, nation and God. Instead of trying to ‘make’ ourselves more generous, perhaps the answer lies in seeing how much generosity we’ve been shown and given.

And let’s not forget that Jesus calls us to serve, but only after serving us first. Jesus never asks us to do something that he has not first done.

Lastly, author Hugh Mackay is known for his work in studying human desire and what makes us happy. A quote that we have shared with students follows: “No one can promise you that a life lived for others will bring you a deep sense of satisfaction, but it’s certain that nothing else will.”

Our as we embark on our journey of serving others, our hope is that we see outside ourselves and give out of the abundance of what we’ve been given.

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:15-17)