The Genius of GenerositySample

Generosity is progressive. It begins with the basics—giving the first and best, and giving regularly and systematically. Then it proceeds to an understanding of proportionality—giving according to the level at which God has blessed you materially. But even more significant is the heart behind the gift. 

You see, true generosity is shaped by a special intertwining of sacrifice and worship. That’s another reason generosity is so genius. It’s about our love for God. It’s a spiritual act of thoughtful, voluntary worship. It reaches deeper and deeper into our lives, reflecting a maturing and joyful relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

This loving generosity was on grand display in the New Testament. Paul wrote quite a bit about how generous certain churches were—not to impress anyone but to spur others on to greater devotion. In 2 Corinthians 8-9, he showcased the sacrificial giving of the Macedonian churches. 

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints (2 Corinthians 8:2-4). 

Life was hard for these churches in Macedonia. They were in “extreme poverty.” But they heard about their Jewish brothers who were suffering from a famine, and they wanted to give. No one coerced them or made them feel guilty. They voluntarily made sacrifices, and they considered it a privilege. These believers, who didn’t have much, gave to other believers who had even less. It cost them something; they put themselves at risk. That’s a great picture of real generosity and sacrifice. 

You can only give that way if you see “your” possessions as God’s and hold them loosely. 

We can give in a way that doesn’t affect us. Our lifestyle isn’t impacted, our plans aren’t altered, and we can still buy everything we were going to buy anyway. That still counts as giving—and can still be considered “generous”— but it isn’t sacrificial. 

When we give generously, it needs to cost us something. But sacrifice shouldn’t arise solely from a knee-jerk reaction to a big need or a response to pressure. On the contrary, it’s a way of life.