The Ripple Effect of Generosity

Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 9:6–8

Summary: In 2 Corinthians 9:6–8, Paul emphasizes that generosity is not just about the act of giving but the exponential impact it has on both the giver and the recipient. He encourages believers to sow generously, assuring them that God will provide all they need to bless others.

Application: This sermon encourages Christians to understand that their acts of generosity can create far-reaching effects in the lives of others, fostering a spirit of abundance rather than scarcity. It challenges them to reflect on their giving habits and inspires them to be more open-handed in supporting the needs of those around them.

Big Idea: Generosity changes the giver and the receiver.

Introduction

1. Sow with Spiritual Abundance

2 Corinthians 9:6

The metaphor of giving as sowing - what do we see in agriculture?

what you sow is what you grow

We get out what we give out. If we approach life with a mindset of abundance, looking to be generous with what we have, we will find our attitude provokes generosity from those around us and sets our mind to be satisfied, joyful, and generous no matter our circumstances.

When we recognize that what we sow is what we grow, we see that we must carefully choose our mindset. If we live with a sense of scarcity and self-protection, we find that we are growing scarcity in our lives - we will never sense that we have enough because fear and worry will overrun our perceptions of what we have. If we instead trust the one who has already given us grace in abundance (9:8), we will find that grace and good works abound in us as we wait on the harvest.

After you plant, you have to wait

To be at peace - to be joyful and cheerful givers - we must let go of our misguided assumptions about God’s timing. The harvest comes when it is ready. In the same way, we have no guarantee to see the impact of our generosity. If our generosity is dependent on getting to see the outcomes, or on some promised blessing from God, then we are no longer truly generous, but just investors looking for a return.

Instead our mindset should be “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in”

The heart of generosity is to give for the sake of the receiver.

The harvest multiplies what was planted

In generosity, we change both ourselves and the one receiving - multiplying the impact. Generosity inspires generosity, so that the impact continues to grow beyond the initial gift. (Think about the story Tony told last week - the women who gave only 2 small coins. This story has been told and repeated and continues to inspire people long after the act of giving. Or think about charity events - as people open up in generosity at the event, others are moved to team up with them to increase the impact.)

Generosity encourages us to be creative about what we have to share