Preached at Norwich

Preached at Norwich

15th May 2005 at Audacious

Understanding Generosity

(a) Dictionary dot com says this about generosity:

Liberality in giving or willingness to give:
Nobility of thought or behavior; magnanimity.
Amplitude; abundance – giving more than is required
A generous act.

A. But is “generosity” a biblical word or concept – YES!

The righteous; Psalms 37:26 – “They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. NIV

Psalms 112:5-6

5. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. 6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. NIV

There are some awesome promises to the generous!

Good will come to him who is generous
Who lends freely
Conducts his affairs with justice
He will never be shaken
He will be remembered forever!

The wisdom literature of the Bible – the book of Proverbs says this;

Proverbs 11:25

25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. NIV

Proverbs 22:9

9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. NIV

Paul in the New Testaments says this:

2 Corinthians 9:10-11

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. NIV

Let me break down this passage some what:

God is the one who supplies our seed for sowing – the scripture teaches all we have is either God’s or comes from God – we are the stewards of all we posses and need to discharge our duties with justice and wisdom
God not only supplies our seed but will cause it to increase and He will enlarge our Harvest – now before you go thinking I’m preaching the “Prosperity Doctrine” – please pause long enough to see I am merely allowing the scripture to speak for it self – God will cause our supply to increase and enlarge! This is what the bible says.
The scripture says God will make us rich – I like that! It sounds better than poor – say poor – now say rich!
God says He will make us rich in every way! Think of the different areas of your life where you need God’s increase and enlargement – think of where you need God to bring abundance – now sow for a harvest.
5 The purpose of increase is so we can continue to be generous on every occasion – we are made rich in every way to be generous on every occasion. Think of the ways you desire to be generous – think how you’d like to bless others with what you have
Our generosity will result in “thanks giving to God” – When we are generous God gets the glory – God is praised – God receives thanks – Go for it and be generous!

B. Where does the concept of generosity come from?

I was in Denmark the other day and was speaking to a pastor; he asked me how do you get people saved in your church? Good question and it all stems from generosity.

God lives in tri-unity, or trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

So we see generosity when the Father was willing to send His own Son to the world to be the sacrifice for sin; John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” NIV
We see generosity in the act of Christ willing to give himself a sacrifice for sin – the sins of the whole world; Ephesians 5:1-2, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” NIV

And again in 1 John 2:1-2, “Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” NIV

Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit and He has come into the world to come to all who ask, The Holy Spirit is poured out upon us and gives us power to be His witnesses unto the ends of the earth – Acts 1:8

Through the generosity of God salvation has come to the world – all who avail themselves of God’s love will know newness of life, forgiveness of sin and an introduction to an awesome relationship with God Himself!!

Remember it was the Father who gave His Son, Jesus who gave His own life a ransom for sin and the Holy Spirit who gives His power so freely to those who are available and yielded to Him. We in turn become the witness of God and His salvation demonstrating it I our lives!

This is the foundation of generosity! God in trinity is our greatest example!

C. Our responses to the generosity of God

1. Our first response – our first act is to give ourselves to God.

Romans 12:1-2

12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV

2 Corinthians 8:3-5

3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. NIV

Sow your life into God, His Kingdom, and His house!!

Give yourself to God so He can use you to reach a dying world

2. Learn how to give and how to carry your seed and learn the manner in which to reap

Psalms 126:5-6, “Those who sow in tears, will reap with songs of joy.

6 He who goes out weeping,carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy,carrying sheaves with him.” NIV

Sow in tears and reap in joy – specifically speaking of people coming to know Christ!

3. Give and be generous to every good work

Col 1:9-10, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” NIV

Bearing fruit in every good work – sowing into a good work will bear fruit in every good work – we need the wisdom of God to see what a “good work” is –

We need to of first priority see the local church as a “good work” and sow our life, our energy, our enthusiasm, our time and our talents in to a good work – when it comes to money your heart is where your pocket is – you wont give to your church if your not absolutely convinced your church is doing a “good work”.

2 Corinthians 9:8-9

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." NIV

Note:

God is able to make all grace abound to you
Why?? So that in all things and at all times you will have all you need
Then you will abound in every good work – you will be fruitful
Therefore – you need to scatter to poor and those in need because then your righteousness will endure for ever – you’ll be fruitful

4. Understand the principle of sacrifice!

The bible speaks a lot about sacrifice – in the OT there is a lot of instruction on sacrificing animals and grain to make an offering to God for various reasons – some was to atone for sins and others were to make peace with God.

Since Jesus and His sacrifice we no longer need to make these animal sacrifices etc – we are called upon by God to make other kinds of sacrifices though!

Romans 12: 1 – “a living sacrifice” – giving ourselves to God! Scripture refers to it as our reasonable service of worship – to worship God not with the death of a sacrifice but worship God with your life – making your life a sacrifice unto God – living in accord with His word and the principles of scripture.
The Bible talks about the sacrifice of praise - Hebrews 13:15-16, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” NIV

a)Sacrifice of praise – the fruit of your lips – knowing how to praise God when you don’t feel like or when you don’t want to!

b)A sacrifice of praise that confesses His name – when life is not going according to your plan – learning to make a sacrifice that confesses His name!

c)Sacrifices of praise are associated with doing good things and sharing with others – not to earn your salvation – that is by grace and through faith in what Jesus alone was able to accomplish – but to do good as a sacrifice – honouring Him in every situation – to reflect His goodness and glory

d)Because God Himself is please with such sacrifices

Learning to give as much as you can and then give beyond your own ability - 2 Corinthians 8:2-4, “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own” NIV

a)They gave out of severe trail – hardship, difficulty lack, need and adversity

b)They were in overflowing joy and extreme poverty – it seemed like they had a heart to give first but lacked the means to give – it was a tough time economically

c)But this welled up into rich generosity! Have you ever been to some ones house and they have little – but you’ve had a lot and they insist on giving to you – it may be food, kindness, hospitality or a gift – you don’t want to take it but you know these people need to give and really you need to learn the grace of receiving as well

d)These people gave as much as they were able – I can understand that – giving as much as you are able – not just throwing in the change in your pocket – not just the excess of your life – but a thoughtful giving of what they have – as much as they are able to give.

e)They even gave beyond their ability – and did so entirely on their own! How do you give beyond your ability? It means they gave beyond what could have been expected; or beyond what it would have been thought possible in their condition. The sense is, they were willing to give more than they were well able. It shows the strong interest which they had in the subject, and the anxious desire which they had to relieve the needs of others.

This is the true spirit of sacrifice – to give more than you are able – some men and women have given their lives in the service of God – others have lived in abject poverty to serve God – others have worked so as to supply the needs of the House and serve the House with its vision!

Sacrifice is not sacrifice until you give things of value – your time, your listening ear, your comfort, and your money – hard earned cash. You give things of value to see something of great value take place – you give temporal things to see things of eternal consequences!

There are people here every Sunday starting work at 6 AM to set up the sound system and this facility so we can come in and worship God – they do it because they are willing to sacrifice their time – a thing of temporal value – to see take place something of eternal value – the salvation of souls – the folks on the PA system are equally responsible when people give their lives to God or are blessed in the services!
There are people who serve as meet and greet team – they are here an hour before every service to welcome folks into our church – so the FIRST experience people have of our church is the welcoming and open arms of a church who believes that God stand with open and welcoming embrace for all who call on His name!
We have folks here early each week who serve in the hospitality of our church so that others will see the Excellency of our God and desire to respond to such a God!! All of us are receivers of excitement when one person gives their life to God!!

We give and are generous for only one cause and that is the cause of Christ – to see many come to God in repentance to receive new life in Christ!! Is it sacrifice – absolutely – when we give in such a manner we are directly opposing the desires of our human flesh that says – I increase as I get and save – watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves – stinginess not generosity is the human response –

This is why people thing and say “The church is only after our money!” when in fact we are seeking to imitate God in Trinity as we develop generosity in every area of our lives – Generosity is not so much about an amount – but it is everything to do with an attitude.

Generous people know how to affirm and honour others
Generous people know how to give themselves in prayer and devotion to God
Generous people know how to give themselves to their church and become servants born in the House – who are people who generously serve God with all they have – this includes their car, their house, their food, their money

Conclusion:

What does God do for the generous?A generous man will prosper, will be blessed, and will be in the spirit of a true worshipper.

A generous person will always have sufficient!

A generous person will never lack for friends!! A generous person reflects the true nature of God and will in turn be an attractive advert for God – many will flock to you to hear more about Christ.

Have you accepted Christ yet? Now is your opportunity

Come to Jesus

Sinner’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come to you in Jesus name.

I confess that I am a sinner and need you to forgive me of my sin.

I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me

Lord Jesus come into my life and forgive me of all my sin and make me a new person.

I turn away from sin and from the power of darkness and turn unto you.

Come into my life Lord Jesus and make me a Christian today. AMEN