GENEROSITY
John Wesley (1703-1791) knew plenty about economic
uncertainty. In his day, Britain experienced rapid urbanization and the
beginnings of industrialization. This caused rural economies to collapse and
created numerous problems in city centers: overcrowding, disease, crime,
unemployment, debt, substance abuse, and even insanity (London established its
first asylum in 1781). Meanwhile, a small upper class spent large sums to
distance itself, literally and figuratively, from the growing problems. This
top five percent of the population controlled nearly one-third of the national
income.
Wesley, from lower-middle-class stock himself,
consorted mostly with people who worked hard, owned little, and could never be sure
of their financial future. But he preached so widely and became so well known
that his income eventually reached 1,400 pounds per year, equivalent to more
than $160,000 today. Still, he lived simply but comfortably on 30 pounds while
giving the rest away. He donated nearly all the 30,000 pounds he earned in his
lifetime. He once wrote, "If I leave behind ten pounds, you and all
mankind (can) bear witness against me that I have lived and died a thief and a
robber."[1]
What unmatched Generosity!
For the past several months, we have been feeling the
pains of economic inflation, especially at the Gas pump. People are worried
about whether they can afford a decent Thanksgiving Lunch this year. These
financial hardships are not new; they have always been there. Yet we have
incredible examples of people who were generous despite difficulties.
Last week we learned from the Macedonian Churches how
eager they were to give toward the needs of the struggling saints in Jerusalem.
Today we will see what motivated their giving and learn more about Generosity
and its significance in the life of a Christian.
I.
The Contagious Generosity.
The word contagious is often used for spreading
disease. It could be used (of an emotion, feeling, or attitude) likely to
spread to and affect others. For instance, we say, "Her enthusiasm is
contagious." In this case, the Generosity of the Corinthian believers was
contagious. How so?
Vs. 1-2, I really do not need to write to you about
this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. For I know how eager
you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you
in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your
enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving."
Here Paul was boasting about the offering the
Corinthian believers took up for God's people in Jerusalem. We read about it in
I Cor 16, how they were to collect a particular portion of each one's earnings
and set it aside on the first day of each week. Corinth was a major city in
Achaia, the southern region of the Greek Peninsular, whereas Macedonia was in
the northern province of Greece. The Generosity of the Corinthians stirred the
Macedonians.
Paul wanted to ensure that the Corinthians lived up to
his boasting, so he sent out some believers to prepare the promised gift. He
wanted that gift to be willing, not a grudgingly given gift. He uses an
agricultural metaphor to teach them several principles of Generosity.
II.
Generosity begets Generosity. (Vs. 6-9)
Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to remember a
farming principle. A farmer knows if he plants only a few seeds, he will only
get a small crop. But if he sows generously, he will get a generous crop. The
same principle works when it comes to giving toward the needs of the poor and
needy. First, each one must decide in our hearts how much to give. Once that
decision is made, then give it cheerfully, not grudgingly. Because "God
loves a person who gives cheerfully." In other words, put a smiley face
when giving, may they be tithes or offerings.
Why should we give cheerfully? Several scriptures
suggest that Joy is associated with giving. In the OT, we read that people
wholeheartedly and willingly brought their offerings. Here is when King David
appealed to the nation of Israel regarding gifts for building God's temple.
First, David himself said, "because of my
devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures
of gold and silver to help in the construction." Then he challenged the
people to follow his example. One by one, people responded generously in
bringing offerings to the LORD. It was said, "the people rejoiced over the
offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD, and King
David was filled with Joy." I Chron 29.
Do you see how joyful people were in their giving? We
give joyfully because we love God and recognize that all we have comes from
Him. Listen to King David's Prayer: Everything in the heavens and on earth is
yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over
all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything.
Power and might are in your hand, and at your
discretion, people are made great and given strength. "O our God, we thank
you and praise your glorious name! 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that
we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we
give you only what you first gave us! I Chronicles 29:11-14
There is nothing we have that is our own. James 1:17,
"Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our
Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a
shifting shadow." The same unchanging God sent His only begotten Son,
Jesus, out of His love. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross.
Hebrews 12:2
Paul reminded the Corinthians why Jesus joyfully gave
up his life. II Cor 8:9, "You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor so that by his
poverty, he could make you rich." Just ponder on this verse!
If you are a follower of Christ, one sense you are a
millionaire! Christ has blessed you with every spiritual blessing. In Christ,
we have an inheritance. In Christ, all our needs are met. All these and more we
have received freely. Therefore, we are to give freely and generously.
III.
The Ministry of Generosity.
The
apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian believers about the ministry of Generosity.
Jesus and the Corinthian disciples have shown us how to be generous through
their example. One reason why God wants us to be generous is that the poor
would be helped.
The Lord has many promises in the Bible for those who
give generously to the poor. Here are just a few: If you give to the poor, it
is like making a loan to God (Prov 19:17). If you give, you will increase (Prov
11:24). "Honor God with Everything you own; give him the first and the
best. Your barns will burst, and your wine vats will brim over." Prov
3:9-10
You might be wondering; I do not have anything to
give, do not worry; God will provide you with resources and produce a great
harvest of Generosity. II Cor 9:11, "Yes, you will be enriched in every
way so that you can always be generous." What are the benefits of our Generosity?
First, they will thank God when we give to the people of God who are in need.
Secondly, our Generosity will prove that we are saved
and obedient to God. Thirdly, the poor saints who are helped by our generous
giving will pray for us with deep affection. Whether we have this spiritual
gift of giving or not, we all can be generous with our money, time, and other
resources. Like
in the Corinthian Church, I see several generous people at Hope Church.
You honor God with your tithes and offerings. You give
your time and use your practical skills to serve God in various ministries of
Hope Church. In closing, God provides the seed to sow and bread for food. The
more we sow, the more we will reap. Let us give cheerfully, not grudgingly. Generosity
is an expression of our love and thanksgiving to God.
