“Generosity is the bountiful flowing forth of a heart which is moved by charity and compassion. When a person considers with compassion the sufferings and passion of Christ, there arises within him the virtue of generosity. This leads him to praise, thank, honor, and revere Christ for his sufferings and for his love for us and to surrender joyfully and humbly his body and soul to Christ in time and in eternity. When a person observes himself with compassion and pity on himself, and when he reflects on the good which God has done for him and on his own failings, then he must take refuge in the generosity, graciousness, faithfulness, and trustworthiness of God and intend with a perfectly free will to serve him forevermore. When a generous person observes the errors, deviations, and unrighteousness of others, he earnestly implores God with ardent faith to let his divine gifts flow forth and to manifest his generosity toward all persons, so that they might acknowledge him and turn to the truth. The generous person also observes compassionately the material needs of everyone: he serves, he gives, he lends, and he consoles others according to their need and his ability.”
John Ruusbroec (1293-1381) in The Spiritual Espousals (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1985) 60.