
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
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
Giving stands guard over your life to protect you from
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
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
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