Untitled Sermon (2)

Marks of Christian Generosity

Acts 20:35 Paul said”…I bear fruit in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” of course he was talking about the physical marks of suffering and persecution which identified him with his Lord. But today I want us to consider the fact that our lives ought to be marked for the Lord. Not physically, but spiritually! There should be some characteristics in our lives that will identify us as Bible believing Baptists, or Presbetyerian of Catholic and so on and so on.

Today we are going to look at the spiritual marks of a Christian. it is the mark of generosity. This isn’t limited to what we do with money! What we do with money is a reflection of our generosity, but generosity goes far beyond finances. Generosity is the act of doing more than is expected of you. Can it be said of you that you are generous? If we only do the minimum, or if we only do that which we are expected to do, then we don’t exhibit the characteristic of generosity.

I. Biblical Examples of Generosity

A. Look at the Apostle Paul for instance. Before he was saved he was a strict Pharisee caring for no one but himself. He would partition to get orders to go hunt down Christians. When he found them he would throw them in jail, beat them and even kill them. But after he met Jesus his heart was opened to all men.

He ministered to all classes, he was at home in the marketplace of the king. In one city the people rejected him and the message he preached to the point that they stoned him and left him for dead. (Acts 14:19). Paul said that he was :… made all things to all men...” 1 Co. 9:22. But here’s the kicker though a short time later he went back to that city and ministered to them. Paul went beyond what was expected of him and displayed a generous attitude of service to others.

B. Now let’s take a look at the Good Samaritan. We’re all familiar with the story told by our Lord. Here is a Jew who had been attacked and left wounded along the roadside. The religionists of the day observed him in his condition and saw no need to go out of their way to help him. But the Samaritan (which they were known for their hatred of the Jews and in return the Jews hated them) came by and ministered to the needs of this hurting man. He put aside any cultural differences and in a spirit of generosity took care of this man. He even took him to the inn and told the owner to supply whatever he needs and the tab was on him. He certainly wen beyond what was expected of him.

C. Then we have Jesus, once again our greatest example. There was no prejudice in Him. He looked with love upon Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, bond or free alike. He saw their needs and responded to them.

A sinful woman cried out for help, others would have stoned her, but Jesus forgave her and set her free. Throughout His ministry we see Him giving of Himself time and time again. He gave His time, He gave His Life, His love, and His blood.

II. To Whom Are We to Be Generous To?

A. To our friends and loved ones. Sometimes we’re most ungenerous to the ones we love the most. The Bible tells us that the man who will not provide for his own is worse than and infidel. ! Tim. 5:8.

I saw a cartoon the other day of a Pastor and his wife: the caption read, “I have an idea! How about smiling and being nice at home and being a grump at church?” Have you ever known a person that would do anything for someone else, but wouldn’t take the time to do anything for his family?

B. To our enemies. It’s hard to be generous to those who have hurt us. But when we learn to quickly forgive those who wrong us, we are manifesting the spirit of Christ’ Generosity. Matthew 5:44 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Then look back up at vs 5  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

A very cruel slave owner had just finished giving his Christian slave a terrible beating and in anger said, “What can your Jesus do for you now? The slave , battered and bleeding, answered, “Master He can give me the grace to forgive you!” That is the spirit of Christ’ generosity. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do…Luke 23:24

C. To outsiders. How do we respond to others? Do we go out of our way to reach them with the gospel? Those who come to our church or your church do we make them feel welcomed? In our love for one another let’s be careful that we don’t forget to be generous to those who aren’t a part of our group! We are to be generous to all men, realizing that God made them all and that Christ shed His blood for them all.

III. Why Should We Be Generous?

A. Because God has been so generous to us! I shouldn’t have to speak on this subject too far. We are all stewards of what God has blessed us with. Where would we be if God chose t remove His hand for just one second?

B. Because we are stewards. You see a steward is one who holds property in trust for another. We are stewards of what God has blessed us with. If a steward is honest he doesn’t use this property for himself. Paul said that as stewards we need to be faithful.

Do we exhibit generosity in our lives by faithfully sharing what God has blessed us with? The difference between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee are many, but today I want us to consider just a couple of them.

The Sea of Galilee is full of life and supplies a livelihood for many in that area…the Dead Sea is just that Dead. Both have a source that continually feeds them with fresh water.

The Sea of Galilee also has an outlet to give out again and again, but the Dead Sea has no outlet, it receives but doesn’t give…so it’s dead.

Look at your life are you giving or, or you just receiving. If so you are dead. Don’t shoot the messenger!!!

Today which do you want to be? Alive and vibrant blessing many people! Or dead and literally good for nothing! The difference has to do with the spirit of generosity. When others look at our lives what do they see? They need to see Jesus! The world needs to see His reflection in our lives. Amen.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 5:5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.