More Than Ready
Part of One Vision—Connecting Generations to Jesus
March 13, 2022

Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3 But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” —2 Corinthians 9:1–9

Biblical generosity is expressed through , by .

According to Paul, we give, not primarily to meet the need, but for the

of God and then to show toward others (8:19).

God’s Word shows us that God’s idea of generosity is more than a

.

There are two realizations taught in this text…

1. Realize giving is more important than being

to give – vs. 1-5

Giving stands guard over your life to protect you from

, greed, self-centeredness, a lack of trust in God, and more.

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting… —Mark 7:21–22

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. —Colossians 3:5

2. Realize God

you so you can give – vs. 6-9

If you trust God and His care for you, and you believe God has given you everything you have for His purpose, you can give bountifully with

.

Biblical generosity is expressed through , by God’s grace.

Personal Application:

As we think about the future of CrossPointe and our plan to meet the need that exists today and into the future, will you ask these questions:

When it comes to being generous, how has your heart

?

In what are you investing the that God has entrusted to you?