Crazy Like Us
Week one - Crazy Generous
2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Bottom line: Generosity changes the world, but first it changes us.
I believe the local church is still the single greatest change agent in our world today, and so it is worth our time, our efforts, and our resources.
Generosity is central to our understanding of who God is and how we relate to Him and to each other.
Bible Project video on generosity with Tim Mackie and Jon Collins
Study notes from the video
God
God abundantly
We get to live as a sign that the party is underway.
This party = the kingdom of God.
The atmosphere is different
The rules are different
The priorities are different
*And it all hinges on our decision and ability to
Why should I trust God?
How do I trust God?
1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. —2 Corinthians 8:1-9
We trust God because He has proven over and over again that He can be trusted.
Trust but verify - God has done that. He sent Himself to die for us. Jesus said he would die and then return, and He did.
We trust God by sharing “even beyond our ability.”
But all of this is crazy.
Generosity is crazy.
But generosity is what changed the world.
And generosity can change our world right now and right here, but first it has to change us.
This is the one thing God told us to test Him in.
You can’t outgive God.