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GENEROSITY
Greed I have often regretted, generosity
never!
You can give without loving, but you cannot love
without giving!
I never apologize asking anybody to give generously
for the greatest cause in the world, the mission of
Jesus Christ.
You are never more like God than when you give!
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT OUR
GENEROSITY
Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and
generous ways in which God is working
in the churches in Macedonia province.
Fierce troubles came down on the people of those
churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial
exposed their true colors:
They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered
something totally unexpected:
an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever
they could—
far more than they could afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in
the relief of poor Christians.
This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us
completely off guard.
What explains it was that they had first given
themselves unreservedly to God and to us.
The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes
of God working in their lives . . . .
You do so well in so many things—
you trust God, you’re articulate, you’re insightful, you’re passionate, you love
us—now, do your best in this,
too. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 7 – The
Message)
WHAT PREVENTS OUR GENEROSITY?
A lot of problems (Fierce troubles)
A life of poverty (Desperately poor)
A lack of passion (God is working)
As he stood in the Temple, he was watching the rich tossing their gifts into the
collection box.
Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small
copper coins.
“Really,” he remarked, “this poor widow has given more
than all the rest of them combined.
For they have given a little of what they didn’t need, but
she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” (Luke 21:1-4 – Living Bible)
WHAT PROMOTES OUR GENEROSITY?
Generous people want to be a part of what God is doing!
“I want to report on the surprising and generous
ways in which God is working.”
Generous people are always full of joy even in hard times!
“They were incredibly happy, though desperately
poor.”
Generous people always give way
beyond their ability!
“They gave offerings of whatever they could —far
more than they could afford!”
Generous people give with eagerness, not out of obligation!
“Pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief
of poor Christians. This was totally spontaneous,
entirely their own idea . . .”
Generous people give because they love
God so much!
“What explains it was that they had first given
themselves unreservedly to God
. . . giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God
working in their lives . . .”
Every one whose heart was roused, whose spirit was
freely responsive, bringing offerings
to GOD for building the Tent of Meeting . . .
They came, both men and women, all the willing spirits
among them, offering brooches, earrings, rings,
necklaces—anything made of gold—
offering up their gold jewelry to GOD . . . Everyone who
wanted to offer up silver or bronze as a gift to GOD
brought it . . .
Every man and woman in Israel whose heart moved
them freely to bring something for the work that
GOD through Moses had commanded them to make,
brought it, a voluntary offering for GOD . . . The men were eager to get
started and engage in the work.
They took from Moses all the offerings that the
Israelites had brought for the work of constructing the
Sanctuary.
The people kept on bringing in their freewill offerings, morning after morning.
All the artisans who were at work making everything
involved in constructing the Sanctuary came, one after another, to Moses, saying,
“The people are bringing more than enough for doing
this work that GOD has commanded us to do!” So
Moses sent out orders through the camp:
“Men! Women! No more offerings for the building of the Sanctuary!” The people
were ordered to stop bringing offerings!
There was plenty of material
for all the work to be done. Enough and more than
enough. (Exodus 35:20-26, 35:1-7 – The
Message)
WHAT PRIORITIZES OUR GENEROSITY?
When it comes to generosity, are you
giving God your best?
“You do so well in so many things . . .
do your best in this, too!”
Let’s Pray
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