Pastor Troy Murphy talked about the grace of giving during his message on Sunday, Oct. 28, and used 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 as the basis for his talk. Here are some key points:
*God poured his love and grace into us (Titus 2. 11-14) by giving us his Son. It was an unbelievable gift of love. God has already poured generosity into each person who calls himself or herself a Christ follower. We don’t need to be taught how to be generous. God has already instilled us with generous hearts. Generosity comes out of a heart transformed by God.
*If we win the lottery we aren’t going to suddenly become generous because we have margin and more to give away. Generosity doesn’t start from wealth. It starts when God pours into a life. There are amazingly generous people who love Jesus that live in slums. You shouldn’t wait until you acquire money or possessions to become generous. You already have what you need to be generous. We often reduce generosity to material possessions, but generosity flows from a heart that has already been transformed.
*It doesn’t matter your economic situation. Generosity can be exercised with nothing in your life. If you have nothing you can be overwhelmingly generous.
*In 2 Corinthians 9 Paul writes a letter to the Corinthian church and tells them to get prepared to give. We should have an attitude of generosity. Scripture tells us that whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingily, and whoever sows generously will reap generously. It doesn’t mean that if we give to God we will become rich — we aren’t talking about the prosperity gospel. As we become generous God will be generous with us in ways far beyond material possessions and money. You could receive things that could never be bought, such as peace and joy.
*Giving is a heart exercise of generosity. When you receive the love of Christ you have a generosity muscle that you have been called to exercise. Things like greed, fear and insecurity can prevent us from exercising that muscle. The more you exercise that muscle, the bigger it grows.
*Paul says in Corinthians that each should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Your gift given under obligation, or out of religious duty, is worthless. There is a difference between obedience and religious tradition. Obedience is a longing to fall in step with the Holy Spirit.
*Often we want to know what is the minimum we need to give so that God is happy with us. Some focus on tithing, which is giving 10% of what we earn. But there are many scriptures that don’t give a certain number or percentage. Instead, it talks about generosity having no limit. God doesn’t have a ledger book saying you met your 10% obligation. God is looking at what you have decided in your heart to give.
*Jesus wipes away rules and says it’s about love and what your heart says to give. Giving is a heart response. What is your heart saying? How big is that generosity muscle in your heart?
*Americans can get stuck on security and fear issues and ask questions like, "What will happen if…?” Giving comes from a heart that trusts God’s provision. God has called us to let go of our fears and trust him.
*2 Corinthians 9.8 says God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times you have all that you need.
*God can outgive you a hundred million times. God doesn’t want you to give and then say, “I have nothing." God is saying you will have all that you need, not all that you want.
*If you exercise generosity, God will resource you. It may mean you will give away things. God will allow for you to have space and margin. He keeps re-supplying you and loading you up.
*God provides all we need to give generously. 2 Corinthians 9.11-12 says you will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.
*We have a tendency to want a return on investment (ROI) for our generous giving. But we aren’t instructed in scripture to attach strings to our giving. The generosity means we cut the strings and let it go. God will hold accountable those who will receive what you have given.
*When we give generously we meet needs and give thanks to God. Giving brings glory to God — not to a church or brand or name. We are to love and glorify God with radical generosity.
*The grace of giving comes from Jesus himself. When we focus on that truth it should transform us into generous givers of our talent, time and treasure.
Discussion questions
*Can God trust you with what he has entrusted in you?
*Give an example of God’s generosity rubbing off on you. What are some giving experiences you can share?
*What stops you from exercising your generosity muscle? Do you battle fear and insecurity? How can you overcome those obstacles?
