The Habit of Generosity

 
The Scriptural Basis
Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives;
Proverbs 14:21
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Luke 3:7-14
He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves…10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
Acts 2:45-47
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Galatians 6:6
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
Ephesians 4:28
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Philippians 2:1-5
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
1 Thessalonians 2:8
So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with          you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Hebrews 13:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life
 
Definition
“Generosity is an attitude of surrender, humility, gratitude, stewardship and service that is expressed in compassionate action. It is not restricted to material stuff or money but encompasses the willingness and eagerness to give of ourselves and share with others everything that God has given to us; our time, our talent, our treasure, our love, our very lives.”
 
Summary Principles
1.     Generosity reflects the heart of God
When we are generous we are being like God
2.     Generosity glorifies God
Our generosity reflects God to others therefore it glorifies Him
3.     Generosity blesses people
Generosity is expressed towards people, usually people in need and they are blesses by our gifts
4.     Generosity demonstrates a humble and grateful attitude
Generosity is action that is produced by an attitude of humble acknowledgement that everything we have is a gift from God therefore we should hold on to it loosely and always be willing to share it with others
5.     Generosity is the action of Biblical stewardship
Generosity is the faithful stewardship of what we have in service to others for God’s glory
6.     Generosity gives us joy
We have the joy of glorifying God, blessing others and making a contribution to God’s Kingdom.
7.     Generosity is God’s strategy to accomplish God’s Kingdom plan
God’s Kingdom is established and grows as servants generously share what they have in Christ with others.
Be generous with your time, talent and treasure!
 
Prayer of Commitment
Lord, I confess that sometimes I am too casual, too cavalier about giving to You. From now on, according to Your Word, I want to give deliberately and generously, from a heart of faith and with open hands as an act of worship to You. So I ask for Your help- whether my gift will involve money, time, attention, service or prayer, I want to give to you generously with passion and purpose, never squandering an opportunity to sacrifice for you. Help me see that everything I share with others I am really giving back to You. Help me be a generous giver.