Demonstration of Generosity.

​ ESV34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

​ ESV45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

​ ESV5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

​ ESV6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

5.Demonstration of generosity

Giving within the church is central to the character of the people of God because of all that God has given to us.

​Dictionary of Bible Themes 8262 generosity, humanMotivations for generosity God’s example See also God’s dealings with believers See also ;

When Paul exhorts the Corinthians to give, he reminds them, “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” (). Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross (), and while Christians cannot give another person such a gift of atoning sacrifice, his example is called upon by Paul to bring about generosity in the hearts of the Corinthians. God initiated his love toward us in Christ, and we love one another generously because he first loved us (). Christian giving, based on the work of Christ, is done in joy. We are called upon as Christians to rejoice in the Lord always (), and this includes our giving. We are to overflow with joy in God in a way that meets the needs of others (). God loves a cheerful giver, not one who gives under compulsion or reluctantly (). As we know God and experience his grace more fully, generosity expands toward those in need with a glad heart.Giving is the overflow of joy in God that gladly and lovingly meets the need of another person.generosity expands toward those in need with a glad heart. Generosity within the Church

​ ESV32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

​ ESV35 “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.

​ ESV7 “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.

​ ESV42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

2. Generosity as a principle

​ ESV21 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.”

​ ESV41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 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.”

​ ESV3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

​ ESV5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.