The Joy of Generosity

October 24, 2023

Sunday, October 29, is Generosity Sunday. This is the day we give above and beyond our normal giving to bless an organization or a project/cause. This year we are focusing on the next generation, where all of the money will be given.

  • Toys 4 Christmas – Our goal is to make sure children in our communities will have something under their Christmas tree.
  • Camp for Kids – We are making sure children are able to attend camp.
  • Other opportunities for us to invest in the next generation.

As followers of Jeus, we have a rich history of generosity. Paul told Pastor Timothy, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18 NIV

Acts 15:11 MSG reminds us, “... we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us.”

God wants us to become generous, not just for one season or Sunday a year, but for our entire lives. Generosity isn’t easy in our very materialistic, self-centered world. When our hearts conform to the selfish ways of this world, we won’t enjoy the outcome. It’s no accident that the word miser comes from the same root word as miserable. Takers are miserable.

God has so much to say about how giving and generosity influence our lives as followers of Jesus. As a matter of fact, God talks more about giving than any other subject in the Bible. The reason is that giving is actually a matter of the heart. In Matthew 6:21 Jesus tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our giving reflects our priority and heart. Our giving should be a response to God’s love for us and the gift of salvation that He provided through His Son Jesus.

Therefore, true giving is not a transaction, but instead a transformation of our heart that only Jesus can accomplish in us. God wants to lead us to financial freedom. Financial freedom means having enough to provide adequately for your household and to give generously and joyfully to God's work. God wants you financially free so you can put Him first in your life and be sensitive to His voice, ready to follow Him whenever and wherever He leads.

Generosity is so much more than giving money. It’s about living generously in every area of your life. The Bible says, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.” 2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV

What does that kind of generosity look like? It means being generous with your time, praise, sympathy, forgiveness, love, compliments, and kindness. It means you give the time to listen and understand. And it means being generous with your attention so that you can be aware of the needs of people.

But as important as all that is, God isn’t interested in how much you give in life. He cares about your motivation—your heart. It’s about why and how you give that makes the difference between normal generosity and radical generosity.

Radical generosity is an attitude, not an amount. Paul said, “If you are really eager to give, then it isn’t important how much you have to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven’t.” 2 Corinthians 8:12 TLB

God doesn’t need anything from you, not even your money. But He WANTS your heart and your love. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 NIV

This Generosity Sunday, let Him see your heart.