20Something 9-21-05 (Jen Austin)
Generosity
A generous spirit is something that should identify every Christian. Jesus commanded us to love and care for those around us, and Paul expanded upon this in 2 Corinthians 9:12-14. It says:
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
Why should we give? Who benefits?
If someone on the street asks you for change, what is your first thought? Do you give?
Do you ever fear that if you’re too generous you may run out of resources? (Money, time, energy, etc.) If so, what effect does this have on your generosity?
The verse in 2 Corinthians right before this passage says:
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.
What are some ways that you could be made rich?
Why do we still struggle? How does our state of mind affect our generosity?
The story of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:30-35. It says:
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.
The Samaritan was traveling, so he had his own plans and his own schedule, but he saw that this man was in need and stopped to help. Did he go above and beyond?
Why do you think the priest and the Levite kept going and did not stop to help? Have you been in that position?
What opportunities do you have to be generous in your life right now? Is it difficult?
How does it make you feel to give generously?
Matthew 6:1-4 says:
Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Why is it important to give quietly?
Is it also important to allow your generosity to inspire others? Perhaps celebrities announce million dollar donations to hurricane relief with the hope that it will encourage others to give as well. What are your thoughts about letting this be known?
What are your thoughts about giving with a reward in mind?
God will see that we always have enough. As is the case with every aspect of Christianity, generosity requires faith. Giving may be painful at times and we may ask ourselves how we can be expected to be generous toward others when we struggle to pay our own bills, but if we step out in faith and give anyway, God will repay us in a way that God sees fit. There is abundance in God. An abundance of grace, mercy, and love, and as we allow that to filter out toward those in need around us, our own supply will be replenished and multiplied.
Ephesians 3:20-21:
Now to the One who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Pray and dismiss. Have a great week!
A generous spirit is something that should identify every Christian. Jesus commanded us to love and care for those around us, and Paul expanded upon this in 2 Corinthians 9:12-14. It says:
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.
Why should we give? Who benefits?
If someone on the street asks you for change, what is your first thought? Do you give?
Do you ever fear that if you’re too generous you may run out of resources? (Money, time, energy, etc.) If so, what effect does this have on your generosity?
The verse in 2 Corinthians right before this passage says:
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.
What are some ways that you could be made rich?
Why do we still struggle? How does our state of mind affect our generosity?
The story of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:30-35. It says:
Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.
The Samaritan was traveling, so he had his own plans and his own schedule, but he saw that this man was in need and stopped to help. Did he go above and beyond?
Why do you think the priest and the Levite kept going and did not stop to help? Have you been in that position?
What opportunities do you have to be generous in your life right now? Is it difficult?
How does it make you feel to give generously?
Matthew 6:1-4 says:
Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Why is it important to give quietly?
Is it also important to allow your generosity to inspire others? Perhaps celebrities announce million dollar donations to hurricane relief with the hope that it will encourage others to give as well. What are your thoughts about letting this be known?
What are your thoughts about giving with a reward in mind?
God will see that we always have enough. As is the case with every aspect of Christianity, generosity requires faith. Giving may be painful at times and we may ask ourselves how we can be expected to be generous toward others when we struggle to pay our own bills, but if we step out in faith and give anyway, God will repay us in a way that God sees fit. There is abundance in God. An abundance of grace, mercy, and love, and as we allow that to filter out toward those in need around us, our own supply will be replenished and multiplied.
Ephesians 3:20-21:
Now to the One who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Pray and dismiss. Have a great week!
posted by Jen Austin at 8:44 AM
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