Generous Giving

INTRO

PRAYER

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MESSAGE

Sermon Title: Joyful Generosity: The Heart of Faithful Giving

Theme: Exploring how faithful giving, rooted in joy, reflects our relationship with God and impacts our lives and others.

I. The Method of Giving

Intentions Matter

A. Give Secretly

Matthew 6:2–4 ““Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Quote: “True generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out.” – Frank A. Clark

Illustration: A child anonymously leaves a gift for a friend in need, finding joy in the act itself.

B. Give Sincerely

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

Proverbs 11:3 “3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

Acts 5:3–4 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.””

Quote: “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” – C.S. Lewis

Illustration: A businessman who chooses ethical practices over profit, trusting in God’s provision.

C. Give Sustainably

Leviticus 27:30 ““Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.”

Luke 18:11–12 “The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’”

D. Give Sacrificially

Mark 12:43–44 “43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.””

Philippians 4:19 “19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 19:21 “Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.””

Quote: “Where God guides, He provides.” – Chuck Smith

Quote: “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” – Amy Carmichael

Illustration: A family gives generously to missions, believing God will meet their own needs.

Application: Encourage the congregation to examine their motives for giving and to find joy in the act itself, not in public recognition.

II. The Fruit of Giving

Quote: “It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa

Illustration: A child gives their favorite toy to a peer, demonstrating pure love and selflessness.

Application: Challenge the congregation to trust God by giving sacrificially, knowing He sees and values their heart and intentions.

Abundance and Joy

2 Corinthians 9:6–11 “6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 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. 9 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.”

A. Abundant Reaping

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

2 Corinthians 9:10–11 “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.”

Malachi 3:10 “10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

Luke 18:29–30 “29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.””

Quote: “The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” – Corrie Ten Boom

Illustration: A farmer who sows bountifully, trusting in a rich harvest, akin to God’s blessings.

B. Abundant Good Works

2 Corinthians 9:8 “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.”

2 Corinthians 8:1–4 “1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 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. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—”

2 Corinthians 8:7–9 “7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

Mark 14:3–9 “3 And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. 4 There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. 9 And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.””

Romans 12:8 “8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Quote: “God doesn’t call us to be successful, but to be faithful.” – Mother Teresa

Illustration: A family regularly volunteers together, seeing how God uses their efforts to bless others.

C. Experiencing Joy

Acts 20:35 “35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ””

John 15:11 “11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Matthew 6:19–21;24 “19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” … “24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

1 Peter 1:3–9 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Psalm 19:7–10 “7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.”

Proverbs 3:13–15 “13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Quote: “Joy is increased by spreading it to others.” – Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Illustration: A church community finds joy in supporting a local food bank, seeing the impact of their contributions.

Application: Inspire the congregation to embrace giving as a path to experiencing God’s joy and abundance, encouraging them to participate in acts of generosity.

Conclusion: Encourage the congregation to reflect on their giving practices, emphasizing that faithful giving brings joy, aligns with God’s will, and impacts the world positively.

GROUP QUESTIONS

Matthew 6:2-4: What does it mean to give in secret, and how can we apply this principle in our daily lives?

2 Corinthians 9:7: How does giving sincerely and cheerfully impact our relationship with God and others?

Proverbs 11:3: Discuss a time when you chose integrity over recognition in your giving. What was the outcome?

Mark 12:41-44: What lessons can we learn from the widow’s offering about sacrificial giving?

Philippians 4:19: How can trusting in God’s provision change our perspective on giving?

1 Samuel 16:7: Why is the heart behind our giving more important than the amount we give?

2 Corinthians 9:6: How have you experienced the principle of sowing and reaping in your own life?

Acts 20:35: In what ways have you found joy in giving, and how has it affected your spiritual journey?

2 Corinthians 9:8: What does it mean to abound in every good work, and how can we pursue this in practical ways?

Reflective: How can we as a group encourage each other to embrace joyful generosity in our community?