“The taproot of generosity is spiritual. The apostle Paul, when he explains to the Corinthians about the astounding generosity of the Macedonians remarks, “They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us.” 2 Cor. 8:5, emphasis mine). True generosity always moves in that sequence: first God, then others. First the Spirit, then the flesh. And it always starts with giving, not something, but ourselves…Try this for a week, giving yourself first to God and then to others. Be generous with time. See if your world isn’t larger by this time next week.”
Mark Buchanan in The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006) 84.