Generous to a fault
By mattsmallbone. Filed in Relationships |
gen·er·ous/ˈjenərəs/Adjective
1. (of a person) Showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected: “generous with her money”.
2. Showing kindness toward others
About twice a year I hear someone describe another as ‘generous to a fault’. It is a saying that is often used during speeches at funerals and weddings.
It is a backhanded compliment that could only be stated (honestly) by someone who is skeptical of generosity.
I guess that these people view generosity as something that should have limits.
I disagree with them.
Of course… this phrase is hyperbole… I guess… but it is not useful in the western world in 2010. We occupy a world which is determined to take care of number one.
I think that it is impossible too be ‘too generous’. (I concede that if you starve to death because you have given away your last dollar that this may be an exception… but generous people tend to have many friends… and I really doubt that many expire in this manner).
Generosity is actually one of the great things about being a part of a civilized society.
We need to start a revolution of generosity.
You could start by buying dinner for your friends (rather than splitting the bill) the next time you are out at a restaurant. This is a basic form of generosity that will never be forgotten. This is the the bottom rung of the generosity ladder (loving your friends is easy). However, this is a ladder worth climbing.
As you ascend… you will realize that you are happier and have more friends than you can ever imagine.
“Generous to a fault”. BAH. Go and read a vampire novel.
Wednesday, August 4th 2010 at 2:24 pm |
From Facebook: I’ve always taken “generous to a fault” to mean the person gives of themselves to the point they actually cause harm to themselves, as in not enough to eat (your example) or the proverbial clothes of their back (leaving themselves unclothed) or giving one’s house and home leaving themselves no place to live. You’re correct, it is difficult to literally be “generous to a fault” and I like your suggestion of a revolution of generosity – Matthew Perdue
Tuesday, September 14th 2010 at 4:44 pm |
AMEN! Glad *someone* has it right, as you do. I believe you are correct, and we in America, who tend to blessed more than our nieghbors elsewhere, should be more generous with what we have given. Like Micheal Oslon says: “Everything that I have is a gift You gave to me.” We should all be generous to a fault.
LORD, help me to give feely and generously of what You have given me! Amen.