When was the last time you donated something to charity? Are you so caught up in pursuing your own interests that you don't have time to dedicate to a worthy cause?

We are so focused on our own day to day responsibilities that we hardly take note of the people who are less fortunate than us. There are people out there who are literally struggling to get by on a daily basis.

One of the ways to gain prosperity is to give to charity.

Paul tells us in Acts 20:35: "And I have been a constant example of how you can help the poor by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Generosity is one of the character traits of a righteous person. I am sure most of you heard the phrase "for God loves a cheerful giver." It is found in 2 Corinthians 9:7. Most pastors use it to convince their parishioners to give generously when offering time comes around. Nothing is wrong with that, but we as individuals should not depend on the church alone to deal with cases of the needy and less fortunate.

It is good to find a charity and give of your time or financial assistance. In this way you can really get first hand experience of what the less fortunate really go through.

http://hubpages.com/_1sx5th9547vxp/hub/theartofcharity

Let's take look at what the Bible says about being generous.

Psalm 37:21: "The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers."

Sometimes it is good to give without looking for repayment, but of course it will depend on the circumstances. We should always give from the heart.

Psalm 37:25-26: "Once I was young and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly forsaken, nor their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing."

Even our children will be blessed when we give generously.

Luke 6:38: "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving - large or small - it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

When we give, God will give us even more in return.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8: "Remember this - a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure, for God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."

When we sow seeds of generosity we reap a harvest of greater righteousness and prosperity. If we are stingy with our seeds we will not acquire much in return.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11: "For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will give you many opportunities to do good, and He will produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God."

All God gives are seeds, and He is waiting to see what you will do with yours. If you keep them for yourself, you will never grow, and miss out on the benefits that come from being righteous and developing a generous spirit.

Sow now with whatever seed you have and God will give you more. And He will continue to give you more as long as you use it for His sake and for the sake of others.

(All scripture taken from the New Living Translation).