2 Corinthians 7-8 | Real Generosity

God is perfectly and continually generous. And, if we are to let Him lead us, we will be increasingly the same.

The Macedonia Christians understood this. They were a model of gracious generosity. Paul describes them in 2 Corinthians 8, and in so doing, gives us a picture for all time of what real generosity looks like.

IT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GRACE OF GOD

Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia (vs. 1)

IT IS NOT DEPENDENT AT ALL ON WHAT YOU HAVE OR THE GOODNESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT IS FUELED BY THE JOY OF GENEROSITY

that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. (vs. 2)

IT TAKES YOU BEYOND YOUR ABILITY INTO THE RESOURCES OF GOD

For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord (vs. 3)

IT IS SEEN AS A GREAT PRIVILEGE, NOT A DUTY

begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints (vs 4)

IT PROVIDES THE NEEDED SUPPORT FOR OTHERS

begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints (vs 4)

IT BEGINS BY GIVING YOUR SELF TO THE LORD AND OTHERS FULLY

and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. (vs. 5)

One of our greatest struggles is with our possessions. And, one of God’s greatest antidotes to the worship of our possessions is to let them go—to realize that all we have belongs to God and we are mere stewards of His possessions in this life. We are to do with His resources what He instructs … and He is always generous. Generosity releases a mighty flow of God and God’s resources through us to others and is one of the greatest pleasures of the Christian life.

Father, thank You for Your incredible generosity to us! Now, made in Your image and led by Your Spirit, help us to relax our grip and find ways to show Your generosity to a watching world.