Generosity Pt 4

(Almost forgot the last post on generosity...I know, you would've been so disappointed.)

¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:12-15

One of my favorite passages about generosity is this one right here because you see what happens when people are generous.  We see here that the Macedonians model of generosity supplied the needs of the Lord's people, and showed an overflowing expression of gratitude to God.  Then it says in verse 13 that their generosity caused others to praise God, and even pray for them more.

Do you think about generosity that way? 

What if everyone viewed generosity in this way?

Several times over the past few years people have asked me what their money goes to and the list is pretty much unending.  People always think it's about where we meet on Sundays or the salaries of the staff but that's hardly the entire picture.  All of the ministry that happens from the youngest to the oldest is done through a church's generosity.  Any outreach locally and globally is done through the church's generosity.

I remember one person who came up to me a few years ago when we were still doing youth ministry and asked if they could sponsor 10 kids to go on retreat.  His $850 allowed 10 kids to go that never would've been able to and on that retreat a few of them came to know Christ, and that weekend is forever etched in their hearts.  I could tell story after story about how the generosity of people allowed ministry to happen that never would have been possible without it.

I can't speak for every church but I can speak about ours.  All the money is used with integrity, and all of it is used for ministry here in Richmond and other places in the world.  God does amazing things through generous people and the more generosity we show, I believe the more God uses us in ways we could've never imagined.

Challenge yourself with your money.  Live a more simple life, enjoy the nice things that you have, give like never before, and watch how God uses you and your church.  

Peace,
Wags