Giving pt7: Generosity
Leadership in Context with Keith Tucci
Episode 058
Money Principle #1: Giving is a grace.
Money Principle #2: Giving is a spiritual standard.
Money Principle #3: What has God given you?
Money Principle #4: It’s the equality of the commitment, not the abundance of gifts, that really makes a difference.
Money Principle #5: Leaders are held to a higher standard.
Money Principle #6: God looks at us as a sower.
Money Principle #7: Generosity gives glory to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11
While you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
In all things, sticking to the fundamentals is what will eventually determine success. The fundamentals of Christianity are not complicated, though not easy. Ultimately, the main fundamental of Christianity is that we exist to give glory to God. At the end of the day, whether things have gone according to the “script” or not, did we lift up and give glory to God? Did we glorify Him even in the process of going through unpleasant things in our lives?
In verse 11, Paul is saying that there is a thanksgiving that comes through us to God. We must see our giving as a response to God’s generosity to us and as a privilege. Even in our culture, which is in a moral tailspin, we see generosity as being a virtue that is greatly esteemed. The generosity of the generations has marked cultures. Our forefathers gave tremendous wealth to the revolutionary cause. That was generosity. Our spiritual forefathers and pilgrims gave everything they could to the establishing of churches, hospitals, and learning institutions. Generosity is esteemed in every culture.
One of the ways we glorify God is by being generous. In Malachi 3, where it references the tithe, we tend to miss the part where the nations come and call us blessed. In other words, people would come to see how we do life, how we handle our funds, and how we are able to be so generous. They would recognize the blessings of God on a generous people.
It brings glory to God when His people are generous. If being generous brings glory to God, why wouldn’t we want to be even more generous, continually sustaining that generosity?
2 Corinthians 9:11b- 12
…Which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.
In this whole passage, Paul starts with the needs of the saints and ends with the response of the saints. Through the whole thing, he talks about the heart attitude and the generosity of the giver.
When you sow a seed, not only does the seed multiply, but the thanksgiving to God multiplies as well. Every time that seed multiplies, there is someone who is abounding in grace to God, acknowledging Him. They may not be thanking you. They may not even know that you are the farmer who put the seed in the ground. But they are given the opportunity to see God at work and are thankful to Him.
2 Corinthians 9:13
While, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men.
They are glorifying God. They are calling attention to God for people’s generosity. If anyone criticizes you, your church, or your ministry for receiving offerings, remember: Giving glorifies God. Paul did say, “…through the proof of this ministry,” meaning that we handle things right and we do things correctly.
2 Corinthians 9:14-15
And by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.
What grace is in them? The grace for giving.
2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
What is Paul saying here? You are just like your Maker. You’re just like your Redeemer. You’re just like your Savior. You are just like your Lord. He gave Himself as an indescribable gift to you, and you are following in His footsteps as a generous giver.
In many churches, we have creative ways of receiving offerings—electronically, text-to-give, etc. I’m for all of that and have no problem with using technology. But when we come together as a congregation, we must understand that our giving is an act of worship. I’m wondering if during our giving, while doing all the technical stuff, is there a way that we can still incorporate a giving moment as part of our worship to Jesus Christ? I think that that is important. It is important for us. It is important for people to witness the excited, worshipful giver. I think giving should be worshipful.
In whatever way you are giving, take a moment and make sure you are not just doing a financial transaction, but that you are doing it as an act of worship to glorify Almighty God.
Join us next week as Keith Tucci continues to put leadership truth in the context of the local church. And as always, please like, share, rate/review, and invite others to listen. See you next week!
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