“He who gives what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity; the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice.”
Sir Henry Taylor (1800-1886) in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 316.
Cleaning out our closets and giving what we “would readily throw away” must not be confused for generosity. Such sharing is imperative (cf. Luke 3:11) but only a starting point for living generously.
Following the example of Jesus, who set aside the glories of heaven to come to earth, let us consider prayerfully what self-sacrifice looks like for each of us and follow our Lord’s leading in emptying ourselves as He did (cf. Philippians 2:1-11).