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Becoming Like Jesus through Generosity

Becoming Like Jesus through Generosity

Dr. Montia Setzler, Senior Pastor
February 28, 2016

Series: Stewardship – Obedience to God’s Plan
Becoming Like Jesus through Generosity

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.  –  Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

2 Corinthians 8:1–9 (HCSB)

1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God granted to the churches of Macedonia: 2 During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity. 3 I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, 4 they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God’s will. 6 So we urged Titus that just as he had begun, so he should also complete this grace to you. 7 Now as you excel in everything – faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us – excel also in this grace. 8 I am not saying this as a command. Rather, by means of the diligence of others, I am testing the genuineness of your love. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.

 

  1. GENEROSITY IS FORGED OUT OF THE DIFFICULT TIMES

v 2 During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity.

  • Generosity measures the capacity of the heart, not the wallet.
  • Generosity has nothing to do with how much we have.
  1. GENEROSITY IS ABOUT “GETTING” TO GIVE, NOT “HAVING” TO GIVE

vv 3-4 I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, 4 they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints…

  • When we are truly generous, we have a desire to give, not a compulsion to give.
  • The privilege of giving over and above our ability connects us together in ministry.

Psalm 112:5 (NIV)

5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

 

  1. GENEROSITY CONNECTS US TO GOD AND TO OTHERS

v 5 … and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves especially to the Lord, then to us by God’s will.

  • We model generosity by first giving ourselves to God.
  • We practice generosity by giving ourselves to others.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (NLT)

24 It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. 25 The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

 

  1. GENEROSITY ALLOWS US TO GIVE WITH EXCELLENCE

v 7 Now as you excel in everything – faith, speech, knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love for us – excel also in this grace.

  • God wants our best, even when it comes to giving.
  • The more we practice giving, the better we become.

 

  1. GENEROSITY ALLOWS US TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS

v 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich.

  • Practicing generosity causes us to emulate Jesus.
  • Jesus gave everything so that we can give something.

Generosity moves our focus from ourselves to God’s Kingdom and allows us to be His instruments to bless others in ways we never imagined.

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