Is generosity normal for me?

Become Like Jesus - Is generosity normal for me?

I love Jesus’ church. I especially love this church. There are many reasons why, but one reason stands out. Westerville Christian is a generous church. And there’s nothing like being a part of a generous church. Generosity is so vital to us it became our 5th cultural value which is Generosity is normal. Being generous is who we are. We are made in the image of God and he is generous. Being generous is what we do because it’s what Jesus did. Jesus came and gave his life. I have two purposes for my message today. The first purpose is to prove that generosity is normal at Westerville Christian. Recently, a letter was mailed to everyone who calls this place their church home. This letter included a brief financial update and provided several examples of our collective generosity. Here are some of those examples. We established our online presence. To everyone watching online, I’m so thankful for you. I’m glad that we can connect whether you are in Ohio, Florida, Switzerland or Australia. We can engage God in worship all over the world. Here’s a second example. What everyone gave in 2020 allowed Westerville Christian to plant a church. Multiply Christian Church is a result of your prayers and generosity. Multiply meets every Sunday online at 9:30AM and they meet in person every first Sunday. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of March so MCC will be meeting in person at the Creekside Event Center in Gahanna at 9:30AM. Go check them out.

Your generosity enabled this church to help people locally. People right in our community. We’ve given clothes to people through our Wardrobe ministry. Your generosity helped purchase and prepare 12,200 Friday Fare meals to give to children and their families so they can eat on the weekend. Your generosity provided Christmas presents for 59 families through our Gift Shop ministry.

Our mission at Westerville Christian is to provide places where all people can find hope in Jesus. One of those places is a local ministry called Out of Darkness. We’ve given to Out of Darkness. Jami Gray serves as Development Director for Out of Darkness Ohio. She’s going to come and tell you how grateful she is for people who give. (Please welcome Jami Gray – 10 minutes including her 2:18 video)

Thank Jami for coming. Let me pray for her ministry! God our Father, remind us of what Peter said. That you have called us out of darkness and into your wonderful light. You have called us out of sin, out of addiction. You have called us to seek truth to experience freedom and forgiveness. Thank you God for Jami. Give her strength and wisdom. Thank you for what this ministry is doing for you. IJN, Amen.

If you want to know more go to outofdarknesscolumbusoh.org.

It’s not just local generosity, we give globally. We have committed to give $370,000 to global missions. One mission is the Mushayamunda Village in Zimbabwe, Africa. Your generosity allows us to financially sponsor 193 children who otherwise would not receive an education. Here are just a few. These children wanted to say “thank you” for giving. (Zim Kids TU) Those two girls said, Thank you for loving God and loving others. We have sent multiple containers to Zimbabwe. The last container provided many supplies including several bicycles. Here’s another thank you. (Bike TU) These men were thrilled to receive a bike.

I gave you eight examples of generosity in action and could provide several more. But I won’t. My second purpose for this message is to encourage you to be generous. Generosity is normal at WC, but is generosity normal for you? That was a rhetorical question this one is not. How am I giving my time, talent and treasure to honor Jesus and grow his church?

To answer that question I found myself wrestling with one of Jesus miracles. A miracle defies the laws of nature. I have a nephew named Andrew Bondurant. He married a girl named Brea. They have a 3-year-old son named Abe. Well, Brea is going to have another baby. They told Abe. If we give you a blue balloon, the baby will be a boy. If we give you a pink balloon, the baby will be a girl. And Abe said to his Mom and Dad. And if you give me a white balloon. It’s going to be a baby dinosaur.

That’s funny. But that would not be a miracle. Because miracles are always helpful. No woman in her right mind wants to give birth to a baby T-rex. Jesus’ miracles always helped people. I have brought this miracle to your attention three times in the last two months. We see giving in this miracle. What Jesus does in found in John chapter 6. This miracle convinced the disciples that Jesus was more than human being. This is John 6:1. (Read 1-9)

When I read those verses I noticed something. No one, not MML or John asked the boy for his lunch. I don’t think the apostles became bullies and took his lunch. Here’s what I imagine happened. Andrew looks at the boy and says, Do you see that man over there? The boy nods his head - yes. His name is Jesus and he does all kinds of miracles. I think he wants to do another miracle today. He wants to feed all of these people including you. But he needs your lunch. Actually, Jesus doesn’t need the kids lunch because he could create something out of nothing, but for some reason only known to Jesus, he will use some barley bread and fish to produce a lot of barley bread and fish. So I picture Andrew looking directly at the boy and asking him a giving question. Would you give Jesus your lunch? Who knows what he might do with it! Apparently, the boy said yes. Because Jesus feeds over 15,000 men, women and children using only five small loaves and two tiny fish.

Author Jerry Harris asked this question, “Now just like that little boy, would you step out in faith and be generous for God?” Jesus’ miracle teaches us three lessons.[i] #1: Your gift may not look like much, but God can use it in ways you can’t imagine. The question is. Do you have the enough faith to give it? Lesson #2: Even though a gift may seem small, it can bless a multitude of people. Just ask kids living in Africa or families struggling to eat on the weekends or women trying to escape drug addiction which often leads to being sexually trafficked. Lesson #3: We must recognize that the crowd witnessed and benefited from the miracle, but the boy is the one who gave.[ii]

Would you become a giver? How are you giving your time, talent and treasure? God uses our time and talent. Children’s Ministry! We don’t have enough people willing to give their time and talent to serve. Would you give your time?

Meet Ben the Chemistry Dog. Stressed out for the Chemistry Exam? Benzene the Chemistry dog might be able to help de-stress. Yes you can pet him. Have any last-minute questions about Chemistry? Ask his owner! Giving time is important.”[iii]

Would you become a giver with your treasure - your income? If you go to a restaurant what’s a generous tip? It’s usually more than 10%. In my own experience I have found giving God 10% and living off the rest creates great blessing. Tricia, my family, we have never been without food, clothes or a place to live. Test God. Give God 10% of your salary in 2021.

Imagine how much more we can do this year if we all become like this little boy and choose to give. Dereck Mushayamunda sent this thank you note. My village continues to be in awe of your generosity. Even during these unprecedented times, you continue to be unwavering in your support. Thank you for loving God and loving people everywhere especially those of my village who are recipients of your love. These kids may never meet many of you in this world but when we get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be. Thank you for helping us impact these little boys and girls physically, spiritually and emotionally.

That’s what generosity does. It impacts people. Do you want to make a difference in this world? Be generous. This series is called “Become like Jesus.” To become like Jesus means to be generous. If you are not giving to God, would you begin today? If your current giving really doesn’t require any faith would you step out in faith and watch God bless multitudes of people through what you give just like he did with that little boy. (Pray)

Announcements:

If you fill out our digital connect care WC will donate $5 in your name to Out of Darkness. OOD is a place of hope. They help rescue women from sex trafficking.

[i] Christian Standard – Jerry Harris story – 3 Jan 2021

[ii] Ibid

[iii] Inspiremore.com