The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. Psalm 119:130
“Christ through his word removes the old routines in the heart and mind–the old routines of thought, feeling, action, imagination, conceptualization, belief, inference–and in their place he puts something else: his thoughts, his attitudes, his beliefs, his ways of seeing and interpreting things, his words. He washes out our minds and in the place of confusion and falsehood–or hatred, suspicion and fear to speak of emotions–he brings clarity, truth, love, confidence, and hopefulness.
So where there was fear, there is now hope; where there was suspicion, there is now confidence; where there was hate, there is now love; and all are based on a new understanding of God conveyed into us by his word. Vessels of wrath become vessels of patience and kindness. Where there was covetousness and lust, there is now generosity and courteous consideration. Where there was manipulation and possessiveness, there is now trust toward God and encouragement of others toward liberty and individuality. We now have the character to which listening for God’s voice is natural.”
Dallas Willard (1935-2013) in Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God (Downers Grove: IVP, 2012) 200.
This Lent for prayer, Jenni and I are pausing seven times a day to pray and read a Psalm. It’s an ancient biblical pathway for inviting God to “wash out our minds” as Willard put it. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. (Psalm 119:164)
I am noticing in these seven daily pauses, that God replaces what the flesh desires with what the Spirit desires (cf. Galatians 5:17). Related to generosity, in the flesh we give to get things: notoriety, special treatment, benefits, praise of men, etc.
Conversely, in the Spirit our self-centered giving is transformed into generosity. It’s kind and thoughtful seeking nothing in return. It’s measured abundantly because it trusts in God. If you want your life to exhibit generosity, then my best (and rather simple) advice is to wash out your mind with the his word.