9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. —Romans 12:9-13a NIV
1. The central importance of Generosity
Jesus
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. —Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
The Early Church
“And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them.” —Acts 4:33b-34 NIV
Paul The Apostle
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” —Ephesians 4:28 NIV
- Don’t steal
- Work hard, with your hands, so you have
- So you have something to share
“Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.” —Exodus 22:29 NIV
17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, —Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NIV
2. The reasons we aren’t living generously
- Unaware
- Unprepared
- Uncaring
- Uncourageous
3. Blessed to be a blessing
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. —Genesis 12:1-2