Generosity Lives in the Fruits of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

As someone who’s been thinking a lot about generosity lately, it seemed to me that there was a glaring omission on the Spirit’s list of fruits. Really? Generosity didn’t make the cut?

I really wanted to know why generosity wasn't on the list, so I asked a resource I've come to appreciate in my research: ChatGPT. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot that uses natural language processing to create humanlike conversational dialogue. And it gave a surprisingly good answer. Let’s see what it said.
While generosity isn’t explicitly listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit in this passage, it can be understood as closely related to several of the qualities mentioned.

• Love - Generosity is a natural expression of love. When we genuinely love others, we care about their wellbeing and happiness. This love motivates us to be generous with our time, resources, and compassion. Love for our neighbors, friends, and even strangers can inspire acts of generosity.
• Kindness and Goodness - Acts of generosity often involve both kindness and goodness. Kindness is the quality of being friendly, considerate, and benevolent. When we are generous, we are being kind by offering help and support without expecting anything in return. Goodness refers to moral excellence and virtues actions. Generosity is a virtuous act that reflects the goodness of character in those who willingly give to others.
• Peace - Generosity can contribute to peace in various ways. When we generously resolve conflicts, offer forgiveness, or extend help to those in need, we contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious society. Acts of generosity can calm tensions and reduce hostility, promoting an atmosphere of peace and cooperation. 
• Gentleness - Generosity is often accompanied by gentleness, especially in how we approach and interact with others. When we offer help or support, a gentle and considerate demeanor is essential. Generosity should be extended without coercion or judgment, and a gentle approach fosters goodwill and receptivity.
• Generosity is closely intertwined with the fruits of the Spirit.  It flows from love, embodies kindness and goodness, contributes to peace, and is expressed with gentleness.  
  

As we seek to cultivate fruits of the Spirit in our lives, we may well find that acts of generosity naturally align with these virtues, reflecting the teaching and example of Jesus in our relationships with others.
Join with us in seeking and sharing,
Meredith Quick
Stewardship Team Lead