We Value Generosity
Luke 19:1-9: Jesus and Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:8-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 New International Version (NIV)
“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never – I promise – regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back – given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
Luke 6:35-38 The Message
Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.
Luke 6:38 The Message
God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
WE CAN’T OUT-GIVE GOD!
Generosity vs. Greed
Selfless Giving
If generosity brings blessing, why is it so difficult?
Surrender
We have what we have because of God’s generosity.
Being generous is a very basic way of saying “thank you, Lord.”
How can we be more generous?
By surrendering our lives, ourselves, our stuff to God through Jesus Christ.