GIVE THANKS – BOXING DAY REVISITED
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
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. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others 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. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
POINT 1: Generosity is a choice.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
It’s important to understand that the context of this scripture is in reference to offerings, to alms giving – the Macedonian church saw an opportunity to give above and beyond the tithe and they were moved to do so!
When presented with an opportunity to be generous, how will I choose to respond?
POINT 2: Generosity is a response and it generates a response.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work… You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
We Respond.
Generosity is not only a response when we have plenty, sometimes it’s a response we choose in spite of our lack.
2 Corinthians 8:2
“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability.”
God responds.
When we give generously, God responds generously.
We don’t give to get, but when we recognize what we ourselves have received, and we respond with good stewardship and generosity, God blesses that. May not always be financial, maybe it will be a provision of some other kind, but it will be unmistakably HIM!!!
Others respond.
When we give generously, it blesses those who receive, and the response is often people giving thanks to God! We can help others experience the joy of God’s presence through the faithful act of generosity.
POINT 3: Generosity is Gospel living.
“Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…”
THE GOSPEL IS THE EMBODIMENT OF GENEROSITY.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1
His love for us is lavish, it’s costly, it’s extravagant, it’s more than we deserve— and yet it is precisely what He gave…
Jesus came and He PAID IT ALL!!!
Generosity and the Gospel go hand in hand.
When we are generous it reflects the Father. When we are generous it creates opportunities for sharing the gospel.
Let’s be a people characterized by the generosity that we ourselves have received.