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