Generosity In the Groove

Week 4: Open Hands

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 21:1-4

Overview: Generosity is a reflection of God’s character and a spiritual discipline that transforms us from the inside out. This week, we’ll examine the biblical principles of giving, not just financially but with our time, talents, and resources. We'll learn from the widow’s sacrificial offering and be reminded that the heart behind the gift matters more than the quantity. God promises to provide for those who give cheerfully and sacrificially, allowing generosity to glorify Him and lead to thanksgiving.

Key Points:

● The Principles of Generous Giving(2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

○ Giving as a matter of the heart, not compulsion

○ The promise of God’s provision for generous givers

○ How generosity leads to thanksgiving and glorifies God

● The Widow’s Offering (Luke 21:1-4)

○ Jesus' perspective on sacrificial giving

○ The quality of the gift matters more than the quantity

Application:

● Discuss various forms of generosity beyond financial giving

● Encourage listeners to prayerfully consider their giving habits

● Provide practical steps for developing a more generous lifestyle

Series Title: In The Groove

Week 4: Open Hands

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 // Luke 21:1-4

Overview: Generosity is a reflection of God’s character and a spiritual discipline that transforms us from the inside out. This week, we’ll examine the biblical principles of giving, not just financially but with our time, talents, and resources. We'll learn from the widow’s sacrificial offering and be reminded that the heart behind the gift matters more than the quantity or quality of the gift itself. God promises to provide for those who give cheerfully and sacrificially, allowing generosity to glorify Him and lead to thanksgiving.

Think: Understand that generosity is a reflection of God's character and a vital spiritual discipline.

Feel: Be moved by the joy and gratitude that come with giving.

Do: Commit to living with open hands. Evaluate how you give your time, talents, and resources.

Sermon: Good morning, everyone! Over the past few weeks, we’ve been discovering what it means to walk in step with the Spirit of God and live a life aligned with His purpose. Each week, we’ve explored how to stay in the groove with God. In the first week, we learned how constant communication with God through prayer helps us stay in sync with Him, receiving His guidance and encouragement. Two weeks ago, we focused on the power of God’s Word. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings—it’s a living and active Word that provides wisdom, correction, and direction for our daily lives. Last week, we emphasized the importance of community. We were reminded that we’re better together and that staying in the groove with God happens when we live in meaningful relationships with one another. We are continuing in our series "Getting in the Groove", and today we are looking into a vital area of spiritual growth: generosity. In a world that often encourages hoarding, consuming, and accumulating, the call to live with open hands can seem countercultural. But generosity is not only an expression of our faith—it is a powerful spiritual discipline that transforms us from the inside out.

STORY: Have you ever had one of those moments where someone asks you for a bite of your food, and suddenly you feel like you’re guarding a priceless treasure? Maybe it’s fries, and they’re reaching over with their fingers, and in your mind, you’re thinking, “Hey, I didn’t order the ‘shareable’ size!” It’s funny how protective we can be over what’s ours, even something as small as food. But the truth is, we’ve all been there holding onto what we have with tight fists, instead of open hands.

Generosity reflects the character of God Himself, who gave everything for us. He literally opened His arms and gave His only son… SO, whether it's our finances, our time, our gifts, or our resources, generosity is an essential part of following Jesus as it aligns us with the generous heart of our heavenly Father.

As we explore the biblical principles of giving, we will look at the example of the widow’s sacrificial offering and the principles Paul outlines in 2 Corinthians. Through these scriptures, we’ll learn that the heart behind the gift matters more than the quantity or quality of the gift itself, and that God promises to provide for those who give with open hands.

Let’s begin by reading from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and Luke 21:1-4 together.

POINT #1: THE PRINCIPLES OF GENEROUS GIVING

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Generosity is about the heart that gives, not the amount that is given. Paul makes it clear in 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.”This passage reminds us that generosity is not about meeting quotas or checking off a box. It's about choosing to give from a place of gratitude and joy. It does not matter how little or how much you give; it is the gift of generosity itself that is the important piece of the equation.

In fact, cheerful giving is what God desires from us. Not begrudgingly, not under pressure, but from a heart that is overflowing with thanksgiving for what God has already given us. The act of giving isn’t just an outward expression; it’s an inward transformation. When we cheerfully give, we align our hearts with the heart of God, who gave His son Jesus for our salvation. God desires the posture of our heart to be one of joy and gratitude abundantly more than the specific offering itself.

Illustration: Think of generosity like planting seeds in a garden. If you plant a few seeds, you can expect a small harvest, but if you plant generously, you can expect a more abundant harvest. It’s the same with our giving—when we give generously, God multiplies our offering. Just like the farmer who reaps a bountiful crop from a small seed, God uses our generosity to bless others and grow His kingdom. God doesn’t just provide for us; He enables us to be conduits of His blessing to others. God promises that He will provide for those who give generously. “He who supplies seed to the sower will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:10). This is not a promise of financial prosperity, but a promise that God will always provide what we need to be a blessing to others.

In practical terms, generosity extends beyond just giving financially. It encompasses the giving of time, talents, and resources. Have you considered how your skills, your time, and your abilities could be used for God’s kingdom? Whether it's serving in the church, helping a neighbor, or volunteering in your community, every act of generosity is an opportunity to reflect God’s character.

Take some time this week to prayerfully evaluate your giving habits. Ask yourself: Are you giving with an open hand? Do you approach your finances, time, and resources with a spirit of generosity? Are you generous with your love, your encouragement, your time spent listening to others? Generosity is a lifestyle and a habit,not a transaction.

Next, let us look at generosity through the lens of the widow’s humble offering in Luke 21.

Point #2: SACRIFICIAL GIVING (Luke 21:1-4)

Read: Luke 21:1-4

In Luke 21, we see a striking contrast between the rich people giving large amounts out of their abundance, and the poor widow who gave everything she had—just two small coins. Jesus does not commend the wealthy for their large contributions. Instead, He praises the widow for her sacrificial giving because she gave out of her poverty, while the others gave out of their excess. The giving of the wealthy did not greatly impact their bottom line. They did not have to sacrifice much of anything to give this large amount. In comparison, the widow gave everything she had. Even though it was a much smaller amount, it cost her everything.

This passage teaches us how God values the quality of the gift, not the quantity. The rich gave out of their surplus, but the widow gave out of her poverty. Jesus points out that her gift was far greater, not because of its size, but because of the sacrifice behind it. Her offering was an act of trust, surrender, and love for God.

Illustration: I came across this story of a missionary doctor that followed God’s call on his life and sacrificed his life to follow Him. Dr. Schweitzer was a gifted scholar, respected musician, and theologian, yet he felt a deep calling to help people in Africa, specifically in what was then French Equatorial Africa (modern-day Gabon). He could have lived a comfortable life in Europe, enjoying his fame and the benefits of his academic career. But instead, he made a radical decision: he gave up his promising career and moved to Africa to open a hospital. When he arrived in the small village, Schweitzer didn’t just give money or resources—he gave everything. He worked tirelessly, day after day, treating patients with little access to proper medical equipment, often facing disease, isolation, and difficult conditions. The work was exhausting, and the resources were meager, but Schweitzer poured out his life for the people he came to serve.

One instance of his story stands out: A wealthy donor from Europe offered Dr. Schweitzer a large sum of money to help with the hospital’s needs. Most people would have gladly accepted, knowing it could ease the burden of their work. But Schweitzer, though grateful, knew that he had to prioritize his commitment to the local community and its long-term sustainability. He declined the money, not out of pride, but because accepting such a large donation would have meant compromising his vision for the hospital’s independence from outside influence and preserving its integrity as a place of genuine care, not just an institution built on financial support from the wealthy. Schweitzer gave not from his abundance, but from his very life. He could have lived comfortably in Europe, but he chose to live in hardship and sacrifice for the sake of others. His giving wasn’t just a matter of writing a check or making a contribution that wouldn't costhim anything. Instead, it was an all-in commitment, much like the widow who gave everything she had.

In the same way, Jesus praises the widow in Luke 21 for her sacrificial giving, for her trust in God’s provision despite having so little. Dr. Schweitzer’s life exemplifies this same sacrificial generosity: his gift wasn’t just a donation—it was a complete surrender of his comfort and security for the sake of others. He gave everything, not out of abundance, but out of a deep sense of calling and trust in God’s faithfulness. And in this, his sacrifice became a far greater offering than many who gave from their surplus. Just like Schweitzer and the widow, true generosity comes from the heart—the willingness to give not from what is easy, but from what costs us something. God values the sacrifice, the trust, and the love behind the gift, more than the size of the gift itself.

The question for us is this: Are we giving what is comfortable, or are we giving sacrificially? Maybe for you, sacrificial giving doesn’t mean emptying your wallet—maybe it means setting aside time you would otherwise spend on your own interests to serve others. Perhaps it means offering your skills, whether it's through mentoring, cooking a meal for a neighbor, or being a listening ear to someone in need. Whatever your offering may be, remember that God sees and values the sacrifice and heart behind it.

Now, let us look at how Generosity leads to Thanksgiving.

Point #3: GENEROSITY LEADS TO THANKSGIVING

Read 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Generosity doesn’t just bless the giver and the receiver; it actually glorifies God and leads to thanksgiving. When we give generously, we reflect God’s grace and goodness, and that causes others to give thanks to God. Paul writes that the generosity of the Corinthians will not only meet the needs of the saints, but it will cause an outpouring of gratitude and praise to God. This is the ripple effect of generosity—when we give, it causes others to thank God for His provision.

Illustration: Generosity is a lot like a domino effect. When one person gives generously, it has the potential to affect many others. That one act of kindness or sacrifice can lead to a chain of gratitude, praise, and even more generosity. Just like a single domino falling can knock over many others, one act of generosity can inspire a community of thanksgiving and worship.

When we live generously, we become conduits of God’s grace. Our giving leads to more giving, and more people glorifying God. Take time this week to reflect on the ways your generosity has impacted others. How have you seen others give thanks because of your generosity? And how can you continue to inspire thanksgiving through your giving—whether financially, with your time, or through your talents?

Generosity is a powerful spiritual discipline that reflects the character of God. It transforms us, draws us closer to God, and allows us to be a blessing to others. Whether it’s our finances, time, or talents, when we give with open hands, we become more like Christ and contribute to the work of God’s kingdom.

Remember the widow who gave all she had, and the promise in 2 Corinthians that God will provide for those who give generously. Let us not hold back but give from the heart, trusting that God will multiply our offerings and use them to bless others far beyond what we could ever think or imagine.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for your many gifts. Thank you for your provision and kindness over our lives. Thank you for being the ultimate provider. Help us reflect your love through generosity. Help us hold loosely to our earthly belongings and give back to your kingdom.

Discussion Questions:

Provide these questions to your Sunday School classes or small groups, or send them home with families to discuss during the week. They are also a great way to engage with your online audience before, during or after each service

Why is giving generously a reflection of God’s love for us?

How can it be hard to give generously? Why does this topic make us fidget in our seats?

What are some things we can let go of in order to have more freedom and flexibility with our time, talent, and resources?

What are some specific things we could give generously besides money?

Has this sermon convicted you in any specific ways? And if so, can you take some time this week to share with a friend how you have been impacted and what you’re going to do about it.