Week 16 - Incentives for Generosity

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Council Meeting This Week.

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DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review: Last week we reflected on the grace of giving outlined in 2 Corinthians 8:7-15, I hope you were inspired to cultivate a spirit of generosity and leaving a legacy of generosity that goes beyond our lifetime. I hope you emulated Christ's example of sacrificial giving, giving according to our means, and meeting the needs of others through our prosperity this past week.

Through our willingness to give and serve others, we reflect the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to a world in need.

How many apples do you have left?

WHY?…

TODAY: Incentives for Generosity

Opening Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Paul’s Practical Incentives for Their Generosity

2 Corinthians 9:1–5“Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.”

1. Remember the eagerness to participate you once had (v. 2)

2. Don’t let my boasting about you prove to be baseless (vv. 2–3)

3. Avoid the shame of being found unprepared (vv. 4–5)

4. Care for the poor should constitute a gift, not result from extortion (v. 5)

Theological Incentives for Generosity

(9:6–11)

1. Generosity is tied to what you’ll receive

2 Corinthians 9:6 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

What you “sow” determines what you “reap” (v. 6)

“bountiful” is gk. eulogiais meaning blessing; praise; generous gift (a speech-act to cf. with “confession” in v.13)

2. Generosity comes from the heart

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Give as you decide in your heart: God loves a “cheerful giver” (v. 7)

3. Generosity is possible because God enriches you

2 Corinthians 9:8–11 “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 [Ps. 112:9], “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” [Is. 55:10] 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. [Deut. 15:9-10] You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

God enriches people for generosity (vv. 8–11)

A poverty mindset is not a generous mindset (generous or greedy)

I am “rich” because I know Jesus and I hear his voice.

I will always have more than enough because I know Jesus and hear him.

I do not live by worldly standards but I live by the ways of the King and His Kingdom because I know Jesus the King and hear Him.

3 Pictures of Generosity:

1) Do we live with a closed fist or an open hand?

2) Do we live with a closed pocket or an open pocket?

3) Do we sow or do we just want to reap?

Conclusion/Reflection:

Generosity is evidence of commitment to Christ (v. 13)

2 Corinthians 9:13 “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,”

Generosity promotes genuine affection in the hearts of the recipients for their donors (v. 14)

2 Corinthians 9:14 “while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.”

Generosity reflects our appreciation of what God has done for us in giving up his own Son for our salvation (v. 15)

2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”

As we conclude our study on the theological incentives for generosity, let us remember that our acts of giving are not merely transactions but reflections of our commitment to Christ and His kingdom. Generosity fosters genuine affection, promotes gratitude for God's provision, and embodies our appreciation for the sacrificial love demonstrated through Christ's redemptive work.

Prayer: May we be inspired to give cheerfully, generously, and joyfully, knowing that our gifts have the power to impact lives and glorify God.

Talk It Over:

How can we ensure that our giving is motivated by genuine generosity rather than obligation?

In what ways can we cultivate a joyful and generous spirit, even in times of challenge or scarcity?

In what ways can we align our understanding of prosperity with God's purposes for generosity, recognizing that we are stewards of His blessings?