Generosity is who we really are. This becomes increasingly clear when we understand that at the very heart and core of being a Christian is generosity. When we understand the transforming power of love and a generous God at work in our lives we cant help but begin to respond to the divine nature, our new DNA and heart God has placed with in us.
The VERY NATURE of God is love and generosity.
Over the last few weeks I have been inspired by one of the greatest examples of generosity found in the Bible. It's the story of the Macedonian church responding to a need for help that another church was experiencing. (The Jerusalem church was experiencing a famine)
What's interesting is the fact the Macedonian church were experiencing their own need and struggles and could very easily have just said: 'No!' 'We Can't!' 'We have our own problems!' ...........which too is often our default human response.
Instead their first response was: 'We want to help!' Flowing out of their new DNA, they begged for the opportunity to help with this need. They wanted to be involved. They wanted the priviledge of sharing. (Imagine if this attitude really caught on in our lives and in our churches....)
- 2 Corinthians 8 1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most 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 saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.
of radical generosity.
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| My Generous Grandson Jacob bringing Flowers and a Big Leaf to his Nana |
We see this in Vs 1. When we think of the Grace of God we cant help but remember how we are recipients of undeserved favour, the goodness of God, unconditional love, his mercy and forgiveness. It's almost overwhelming to think about it.
It's the personal experience of God's grace and new DNA with in us that moves us I believe to greater generosity.
Matthew 10:8 'Freely you have received, freely give.'
2. Overflowing Joy
Vs 2 'Their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.'
The reality is, the God of hope had filled the Macedonian believers with overflowing joy.
Poverty may have been their current circumstance but it was not their DNA. The Macedonian church refused to let their difficult circumstances determine their mindset or their future actions. They were not going to be slaves to a spirit of poverty. INSTEAD......they choose to give out of who they really were, not just what they had.
The good news is generosity helps break the spirit of poverty. As Christians our new God nature, DNA is rooted in an abundance of God's Grace and Overflowing Joy rising up with in us in rich generosity. We are being ruled by a different kingdom, the Kingdom of God that has more than enough being released through your life and mine.
Let us commit ourselves to being who we really are; radically generous. Practice paying attention, looking for opportunties each and every day where you can abound in grace, overflow with joy and radically give.
Give out of who you are, not just what you have.
- 2 Corinthians 9:7,8 For God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.'
Pastor Dave Postal
Another Encouraging Resource: Give Every Day
