27th October 2024 - The Heart of Christian Generosity
Heart Issues
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Money is like a liquid, transferrable form of God’s provision. It’s unlikely that we have a gospel-driven generous heart if that gospel doesn’t affect our bank account.
Working Definition of Generosity
Generosity is a gracious gift from the Lord that transforms our selfish hearts to love people and invest in His eternal kingdom.
Base Passage: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
1. Generosity as
We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 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. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege [literally grace] of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. (2 Cor 8:1-4)
And God is able to bless [en-grace] you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8)
‘But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (1 Chron 29:14)
2. Generosity as
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. (2 Cor 9:12-13)
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. (Eph 4:28)
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. (John 15:12-13)
What could generosity as love for people look like in your life?
3. Generosity as
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Cor 9:6)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt 6:19-21)
*Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.* (1 Tim 6:9-10, 17-19)
Jim Elliot: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. The fool clings to what he can’t hold onto anyway.
A Suggested Approach
1. Receive the
2. Foster the
3. Make the
Big Idea
Generosity is a gracious gift from the Lord that transforms our selfish hearts to love people and invest in His eternal kingdom.
Reflection Questions
If you have faith in Jesus, how does that impact your use of money? If you don’t have that faith, what influences your use of money?
Where do you feel your generosity is already going well?
How can you nurture a heart of generosity even when your budget and time is tight?
What giving habits can you set up to train your heart to want to love people and invest in eternity?
What are 3 ways you can start living a more generous life this month?
Further Resources
2 Corinthians 8-9
Ecclesiastes 5:10-17
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Generosity Project by Tony Payne – copies available from Hope City Library
Money Counts by Greham Beynon
Some Thoughts on Tithing
• The easiest rule to follow in terms of financial generosity is to give a fixed proportion of income away. This takes away a lot of subjectivity and potential excuses for not giving. Tithing is one example of this; it involves giving away 10% of income. Many churches would encourage this approach to giving and it is an area of theological generosity; some Christians would view it as essential obedience, others hold it is no longer binding on Christians. Both can be argued from scripture.
• The root of tithing is from Old Testament law. The Hebrew word for “tithe” is מעשר (maaser), which means “a tenth part”. Israelites were to set aside 10% of their crops to be given to the Lord, which he gave onward for the Levites to live on (as full time priests they had no other income).
• When you look at OT law it’s more complicated than this. Many other stipulations regarding offerings are laid out, meaning it’s actually about 23% of their income. But that included the equivalent of taxes for state issues and some of the health and social care provided by the government in our context.
• The New Testament approach is less about ‘what must I give’ and more ‘what can I give’. We instinctively want an exact percentage. Our motive in this may be wanting to ensure we honour God correctly, but it may be wanting to feel we’ve done enough so we can feel pleased with ourselves and go no further. The Pharisees were admonished by Jesus for this heart attitude in Luke 11:42.
• 2 Cor 8-9 is the most extensive discussion of giving in the NT. There is no mention of tithing there . Instead, 8:7 tells us: 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.
• Whether or not you hold that tithing applying to Christians today, our use of the remaining 90% should still be shaped by the gospel.