Fairness vs. Generosity

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Intro

We’ve talked about how gratitude comes from valuing what you already have, and how that gratitude is characterized by joy. Now we’re going to see how these naturally produce authentic generosity.

Core statement/concept

“Gratitude comes from contentment, is characterized by joy, and produces generosity.”

We are very concerned about things being fair

The desire for satisfaction drives us to ensure that all exchanges are fair

i.e. “If I’m giving something up, I better get something equal or better in return.”

The pursuit of happiness drives us to make sure we are treated fairly

i.e. “If I’m nice to you, you better be nice to me.”

The problem is that we live in an unfair world

Other people’s satisfaction and happiness often conflicts with ours - so what is fair exactly?

There are often circumstances beyond anyone’s control, no matter how hard we may try to make things fair

Our concern for fairness will often leave us unhappy and unsatisfied

We can see that the desire for satisfaction, the pursuit of happiness, and the concern for fairness create a very sad, inescapable loop

Generosity doesn’t care about fairness

In Matthew 20:1–15 Jesus tells a frustrating parable

A landowner hired people to work his field for a denarius (the standard for a day’s wage). Throughout the day he kept hiring more people. The people who had worked the whole day expected the others to be paid less, since they had worked less hours. But at the end of the day, the land owner paid everyone the same original wage. When the people who had worked the full day complained about this, he replied, “13 Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a denarius? 14 Take what’s yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what is mine? Are you jealous because I’m generous?”

The reason this parable is frustrating is because generosity isn’t fair.

Jesus uses this parable to reveal a key aspect of God’s character: His generosity

He blesses out of His generosity and not according to what we deserve - which is good news for us!

So we have to think about this - if we’re going to be like Jesus, we have to embrace generosity over fairness

Now consider 2 Corinthians 8:1–2: “We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: 2 During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”

Their generosity didn’t come from a surplus - this wasn’t a “fair share”

Their generosity was motivated by their “abundant joy” despite their poverty

The Macedonians understood the value of they had - they were grateful

Generosity is the natural result of gratitude

Gratitude changes your focus

You’re not concerned with what others are receiving, when you’re content with what you have

Gratitude changes your evaluation of things

When you are truly grateful, things come to hold a value that cannot be quantified

This teaches you to think beyond payments, exchange rates, and fairness

The joy that comes from true gratitude is what ignites generosity

When you realize the value of what you have received, you want others to have it to

Often if we’re not generous, it’s because we are not grateful - it’s that simple

Generosity builds community

The gratitude-generosity loop

Consider 2 Corinthians 9:11–15 “You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the proof provided by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone. 14 And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

When we practice gratitude and generosity, we are blessed, others are blessed, and even God is blessed!

When we are grateful we are generous, which provides for others, which fosters gratitude in them, which produces generosity in return, and so on

Generosity and gratitude fosters a culture that encourages us to care for, and depend on, one another

Apply

Discussion Questions

What grabbed your attention in today’s lesson?

How does it apply in your life?

What are you going to take away and apply this week?

Summary of sermon (Big Idea)

A generous heart is the true evidence of a grateful heart. So cultivating gratefulness in ourselves not only improves our life, but results in blessings to others and stronger, supportive relationships.

Pray

Ask the Lord to give us a generous heart like His and to give us the opportunity to bless others