Generosity That Builds Community

Opening Scripture

Acts 2:42–45 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

This is what immediately happened after the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) descended upon the early church. (This fulfilled Joel 2)

Peter after receiving the Holy Spirit boldly preaches and proclaims the gospel of Jesus

About 3,000 people were baptized and added into the community

This means that the early church is:

Newly Formed

Spirit-Empowered

Multicultural

Largely away from home

Facing economic vulnerability and social displacement

The Word “devoted” translates to proskartereo implies:

Persistent commitment

Continued, habitual action

A willing submission of time and priority.

The Church is built on shared devotion to”

Truth

Community

Presence

Dependence

All For One & One For All

1 John 3:16–18 NIV

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Generosity doesn’t always equate to materialistic possessions just as it doesn’t always translate into money or wealth

Generosity can also be attached to:

Your Time

Your energy

Your skills

If you have something and see someone else struggling how can we NOT be willing to help them?

Scripture teaches us that Love is sacrificial — Good examples of this is: Jesus laying down His life for us… God giving us His one and only Son as a sacrifice to take our place in judgement.

The old saying is definitely true — Action does speak louder than words.

Apart of being in community is being willing to share with others

The willingness to share with others sacrificially equates into true generosity.

You Don’t Carry It Alone

Galatians 6:2 NIV

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We are called to carry each others burdens — by doing this we are sharing in each others struggles

This is Two Fold:

We MUST be willing to allow others in the body of Christ help…..

We MUST be willing to help others with their struggles/burdens/problems in the body of Christ.

By helping someone we aren’t trying to receive bragging rights but instead reflect the genuine love of Jesus

The weight of Love exceeds the weight of our problems

Pride will have you not only carrying things that you were never mean to carry alone it will eventually lead to your down fall

What Will You Contribute?

Romans 12:13 NIV

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Being apart of the Church is also being apart of a community

We learn from the early church that true generosity is being willing to both give and receive from the church/community that God has planted us into.

Often times we want to receive from the community but want to make excuses as to why we can’t contribute to the community

Jesus said it best: “For the Son of Man Came NOT to be served but to Serve”.

What are the skills and talents that God has placed within you that you are being called to use in the Church?

What portion of your time is God potentially leading you to giving over to Him through serving others

what aspect of your finances is God challenging you to surrender over to Him through sowing into people who are in need and His Church?

You have to crawl before you can walk — take one step at a time… Let God order your steps as to what He would have you to start with and grow from there.

If you are willing God is more than able to lead you in your next step — it’s NOT easy but with Jesus it is possible!

Your Next Steps

Invite Someone Into Your Life This Week: Open your table, time, or your attention to someone else.

Share a meal

Make a phone call

check on someone who’s been on your heart

Carry One Burden That Isn’t Yours : Ask one person “How can I help carry this with you?”

Pray with them

Help them practically

Walk with them through something heavy

Offer What’s Already in Your Hands: Identify one thing God has already given you that can bless someone else

Time

Skill

Energy

Knowledge

Encouragement

Resources

Take One Faith Step Toward Contribution: Choose one small, obedient step:

Serve

Give

Show up