Healthy Churches are generous, in addition to being hospitable, and inviting. They have members to whom giving is a part of who they are as a Church.
Let’s start with this Scripture as the foundation for our short reflection,
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8. ESV.
I know that when we think about generosity, what comes to mind is ‘giving,’ and the giving of money.
No, that’s not the point!
Generosity has to do with more than just giving money to your Church. It’s about time, talents/skills, presence, and more.
Lots of Churches think of generosity often concerning stewardship campaigns or any Church fundraising project.
No matter what you want to give, what God requires from us when it comes to generosity has first to do with two principles.
Generosity Has a Natural Principle Component
Read 2 Corinthians 9: 6,
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ESV.
There are two truths to this natural principle, which represents the foundation for generosity.
What you sow is what you reap.
See Galatians 6: 7,
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. ESV.
In other words, when it comes to generosity, there is no way you can deceive God. We may deceive each other, but never God.
So be sincere in the ways you give to God!
There is no way to expect more when we’ve sown little.
Or we shouldn’t expect a harvest of corn when we initially planted beans.
[bctt tweet=”We can’t deceive God because what we sow is what we reap in the end. And how much we give is that much we will receive.” username=””]
I’m primarily talking of the fruit that comes out of our generosity. That doesn’t always have to do with what we get, but with how our giving changes others.
Generosity Has a Spiritual Principle Component
The spiritual component is twofold. Let’s look at verses 7a and 8 (2 Corinthians 9),
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” ESV.
God loves a cheerful giver.
[bctt tweet=”Choose to give with joy even when the process, in itself, is challenging. The idea of giving, according to God, shouldn’t be easy. It’s sacrificial. It requires faith.” username=””]
Giving, even though done joyously, shows that you are grateful for all that God has given you.
Most people, including me at times, look for excuses not to tithe, which means giving a tenth of your income.
I love the way Dave Ramsey puts it:
The tithe is the first 10% of your income that you should give to your local Church. You strictly measure it in money, and shouldn’t replace it with the giving of your time or talents.
God can bless you abundantly because of your generosity.
Yes, God will always provide for you when you give.
How does God do it?
It all comes down to the following:
- God has all the power to do anything.
- God does it beyond our human understanding and above what we can imagine.
Your Generosity Will Change Your Life
Go back to verse 8 (2 Corinthians 9), and you find about how your generosity changes your life.
1. You have all you need
Remember that God won’t give you because of your generosity. God will provide you with what’s best for you to accomplish God’s mission in your life.
2. You abound in every good work
God gives you what you need not only for yourself, but for you to abound in God’s work of generosity. God blesses you with much more than what you had before so that you continue giving to bless others.
In summary
Generosity is a good practice you should embrace. Not only does it change people’s lives, but it blesses you, and the generations to come. Choose to be faithful in your giving of money, time, and talents, and your life will never be the same!
