introduction : real generosity requires that we open our heart and allow ourselves to be curious and...

GENEROSITY: THE ACT THAT ATTRACTS GOD’S ABUNDANT

BLESSINGS

Gal. 6:10; Gen.12:2; 2 Cor. 8:11-14

Atigbi Wilfred, Bishop, COC - Grey

Introduction:

Generosity: The Act That Attracts God's Blessings

Real generosity requires that we open our heart and allow ourselves to be curious and vulnerable and accepting. Gratitude says yes to all facets of life, even the difficult ones, which also leaves us, open to experiencing more joy. The generosity of acceptance feels like doing less, but it brings us more. It is amazingly regenerative.

Practicing generosity in our daily lives, in our work, and in our relationships with others is not easy or simple. Generosity that is self-centered or self-serving is merely another form of fear. But giving our full caring and attention to someone, without expecting anything in return, is an act of generosity.

Our blessings should flow to others.


How do you bless others? By serving a needy one, whether it is physical or emotional support, financial help, or practical advice. "Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand” (Phil. 1:4, Eph. 4 : 32a, Col. 3:12).

The Bible teaches us that we are blessed not just so that we can feel good, not just so we can be happy and comfortable, but so that we will bless others. God told Abraham in Genesis 12:2, “I will bless you ... and you will be a blessing”. This is the first law of blessing; It must flow outwardly.

Generosity does not always need be in the form of money or what we would consider a typically “generous” act. When Peter and John met a crippled beggar, rather than give the man coins, Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). To be generous is giving of whatever resources we have in order to meet the need of another.


God’s instructions to the Israelites in Deuteronomy set the example for generous giving for the Israelites.


“When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat

the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the

fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again.

Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. This is

why I command you to do this” (Deut. 24 :19-22).


The primary thing to remember in generosity is that all we have belongs to God, and all we give is a response to His love for us (1Jn 4:19).

The Bible has much to say about this type of generosity and how we are to care for the poor and needy among us. Perhaps one of the most famous passages on caring for those in need is in Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats.

He says, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me . . . I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matt. 25:36, 40).


Clearly, when we care for someone in need, in any form, we do the will of Christ.

When we bless others, God takes care of our needs.


God promises that if we will concentrate on blessing others, he’ll take care of our needs. There’s almost nothing that God won’t do for the person who really wants to help other people. In fact, God guarantees this blessing.

In (Luke 18:30), Jesus says, “I guarantee this. Anyone who gives up anything for the kingdom of God will certainly receive many times more in this life and will receive eternal life in the next world to come.”


When you care about helping other people, God assumes responsibility for your problems. And that’s a real blessing, for he’s much better at handling your difficulties than you are.

John writes, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God

be in him?” (1 Jn. 3: 17-18).

Similarly, James says, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (Jam. 2:14-17).


The way in which we care for the needy is a reflection of our love for Christ and our position as His children. In other words, it is the evidence of our salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.

Our blessings to others will come back on us.


The more you bless other people and the more you help others, the more God blesses your life. (Luke 6: 36 & 38) tells us, “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back — given back with bonus and blessing”. You cannot out-give God. The more you try to bless other people in the world around you, the more God says, “I’m going to pour blessings out on you”. We’ll play a little game here. Let’s see who will win. Let’s see who can give the most. The more you bless others, the more I’m going to bless you in return. (2 Cor. 9:5-15)

The more we’re blessed by God, the more he expects us to help others.


Jesus said it this way in Luke 12: “Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given”. We are blessed to be a blessing. We should not be like the rich fool who had enough and relaxed to rest his soul and enjoyed his riches without thinking of others (Lk. 12 : 15-20).


When considering a specific act of generosity or a charitable organization in which to become involved, we are to exercise wisdom and discernment. God does not call us to blindly give to every need, but to seek His will on the matter.

We are to be good stewards and do our best to ensure that the time, money and talents we give to charity are being used properly. Paul gave Timothy detailed instructions for caring for widows in the church, complete with what type of women should be included on the list and warnings about what could happen if charity was given improperly (1 Tim. 5:13-16).

When we see our resources not only as God’s provision for us only, but as tools He desires us to use it to care for others, we begin to understand the vastness of His love and sovereignty.


As spiritual children of Abraham, we, too, are “blessed to be a blessing” (Gen.12: 1-3). We are invited into relationship with God and with His people. When we care for those He loves, we care for Him.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will

be poured into your laps. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Lk 6:38).

Conclusion


Generosity brings a lot of blessing from God to those who practice it, but brotherly kindness or Christian kindness goes much deeper. It does not merely deal with the physical but with the spiritual as well. I believe that every individual should read carefully the word of God, the Bible. We should read it so that we can learn what the Lord requires of us in order for us to go to heaven.


After we have read and obeyed it, individual is then in a position to supply the greatest kindness shown and known to man. Our generosity brings others to Christ. Can you think of a greater thing you can do for others than that? ( Gal. 6 :2-7)

Based on the blessings of your life, what would you say God expects from you?

What are the needs around you for which you can use your generosity to be a blessing?

QUESTIONS AND

ANSWERS Generosity: The Act That Attracts God's Blessings

introduction : real generosity requires that we open our heart and allow ourselves to be curious and...

Documents