Living a Generous Life - Part 1

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 NKJV

In today's fast-paced world, generosity often gets overlooked. Yet, living a life marked by giving is central to being part of a community, especially within a church. In this series, we’ll explore what it means to live generously as members of a local church. Being part of a church family involves commitments, not just to attend or receive but to give—of ourselves, our time, talents, and resources. As we dive into this three-part series, let's consider how generosity, rooted in God’s grace, can shape our spiritual journey. We’ll begin with the foundation: giving ourselves first to the Lord, and how everything else flows from that commitment.

Part 1: The Foundation of Generosity: Giving Yourself to God First

This week has been one of reflection, filled with conversations with my children and mother-in-law. It’s funny how life works—we love our kids and grandkids dearly, even though they’re spread across several states. I was reminded of how much giving goes into being a grandparent. Whether it’s spoiling the grandkids (or "incentivizing" them, as I like to say) or making the effort to be present in their lives, it’s a constant act of giving. It made me realize that giving, in all its forms, is hard work, but when done out of love, it’s deeply rewarding.

As I thought about this, it struck me that living a generous life in the church is much like being a grandparent. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to give of yourself. But it’s essential if we want to fulfill our commitments to God and His people. This series of articles based on previous sermons about stewardship and commitment to the local church will look at what it means to live a life of generous giving.

Our foundational scripture comes from 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, where Paul speaks of the Macedonian churches. Despite their severe trials and poverty, they gave beyond their ability, but they did so because they first gave themselves to the Lord. This is where true generosity begins: by giving yourself fully to God. When we give ourselves to God first, everything else—our time, talents, and resources—flows naturally from that commitment.

Generosity as a Reflection of Our Commitment

What we do with our resources speaks volumes about our priorities. Our bank statements and personal calendars reveal where we invest our time and money. Paul praised the Macedonian church for excelling in faith, knowledge, and love, but he urged them to also excel in the “grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). This phrase, "grace of giving," suggests that generosity is not just about financial contributions—it’s about giving of yourself, your love, and your time.

Paul sets a high standard by using the Macedonians as an example. These believers were going through severe trials, yet their "overflowing joy and extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." They didn’t give because they had plenty; they gave despite having little. Their generosity wasn’t about wealth—it was about the grace of God working in them.

Why Giving Starts with God’s Grace

In this series, we’ll see that true generosity always begins with God’s grace. Every good thing we have comes from God (James 1:17), and our giving should be a response to His grace. The more aware we are of God’s grace in our lives, the more gratitude and joy we experience. This gratitude naturally overflows into a life of generous giving, not just financially but in every area of our lives.

The Macedonians didn’t allow their circumstances to dictate their generosity. Even in extreme poverty, they gave joyfully and sacrificially because they had first given themselves to the Lord. Their giving was an act of faith, rooted in their trust that God would provide for them, just as He does for us today.

Faithful Giving Beyond Our Comfort Zone

One of the key principles Paul highlights is that the Macedonians gave "even beyond their ability" (2 Corinthians 8:3). This wasn’t reckless giving but sacrificial giving. They were willing to forgo their own needs to meet the needs of others. True generosity pushes us out of our comfort zones—it requires faith. If we only give what’s comfortable, no faith is required. But when we give sacrificially, we trust that God will show up and provide.

Jesus commended the widow who gave her last two coins because she gave out of her poverty, not her abundance (Luke 21:1-4). Her hope and trust were in God, and that’s where our hope must be as well.

The Joy of Giving Voluntarily

Another important aspect of generous giving is that it must be voluntary. The Macedonians gave "entirely on their own" (2 Corinthians 8:3-4). No one coerced them, and no one forced them. They gave because they wanted to. Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Living a generous life means giving because we want to, not because we feel obligated to. It’s about joyfully offering ourselves and our resources to God because we’ve first given ourselves to Him.

A Heart of Generosity Begins with God

As we begin this series, we must first ask ourselves: Are we giving ourselves fully to God? Our generosity will only be as deep as our commitment to the Lord. When we recognize that everything we have is a gift from God, our gratitude will naturally lead to generous living. This kind of giving glorifies God and blesses others.

In the next parts of this series, we’ll explore how giving is an act of worship and how generosity can become a lifestyle of faith.

But it all starts with the foundational truth: We must first give ourselves to God.

If you are a church leader or pastor seeking guidance on leading your congregation through a stewardship campaign or a series on giving, I am here to help. With a heart for church revitalization and a passion for encouraging generous living, I can walk alongside your church to create a meaningful and impactful series. Reach out to me at sam.peters@smallchurchcoaching.com, and let's work together to inspire your congregation towards a life of generosity.

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