We praise grace but are sometimes less than gracious. We are grateful that God is gracious, but miss the opportunity to become like him by developing grace in our own lives. Peter urges us to grow in grace. Paul writes to the Corinthians urging them to develop “this grace also”. Paul’s subject is clearly a contribution being collected to relieve the needs of others.
One concordance I use has 16 columns listing the biblical occurrences of “give”–only five columns listing the biblical occurrences of “love”. Give is used at least three times as much as love. Why have we not defined Christianity by how we give? Does the answer have anything to do with our materialistic culture? Perhaps we have failed to develop in the grace of giving because we have missed the point that it is ultimately about God. Giving is a “God action.” Nothing we can do makes us any more like God than generous sharing.
Further, generosity improves mental health. Human beings apparently have an appetite for giving, and satisfying the “giving appetite” makes us happy. Giving is an evidence of the receipt of God’s grace. Healthy Christians go through life asking, “Where can I give myself to God and to others?”
My text for today’s sermon is 2 Corinthians 8-9. Consider ten foundational truths about generosity.
#1 (8:2) Generosity is not a function of outward circumstances or of wealth, it is possible even in poverty.
#2 (8:3) Generosity is not a function of one’s ability to give.
#3 (8:4; 9:1) Generosity is a ministry to others.
#4 (8:5) Generosity is easier when one first gives self.
#5 (8:6) Generosity is a grace, an act of kindness.
#6 (8:8) Generosity reveals our genuine love.
#7 (8:9) Generosity makes us like Christ.
#8 (8:12) Generosity of spirit is what makes our gift acceptable.
#9 (8:13) Generosity does not require that we give to the point of our suffering, our God has enough for all.
#10 (9:5) Generosity blesses others.