Generosity!!

As i think about generosity, i am reminded that so much of the messages that come across our eyes and ears are ones that suggest to us to get all we can. Life, no matter your orientation toward God has the same struggle with our view toward materialism and where that line is that says we have enough!

I made a comment in this weekend's message that I have thought alot about in my thoughts concerning the face of generosity. I think that we have come to be mastered by our lifestyles more than being in love with the Master. That is a hard saying for most of us because our lifestyle's are where we get alot of our definement and temporary joy. My statement made was, "God is not interested in our lifestyle's but in our holiness."

2 Corinthians 8 gives us an incredible understanding to true generosity. We see that the grace of God is the starting point. We will never become generous apart from the grace of God intersecting with our lives. Many today will get in front of others and herald how they are giving toward this charity and receive public admoration for there "generosity" and never miss that gift at all. The Apostle Paul here in 2 Corinthians shows that generosity is birthed out of plenty or out of dire poverty. It is not in your ability, but out of your willingness and that is rooted in God's grace.

I personally pray that God will allow my family and me to develop in this area of generosity. I want to invest in others when it is a little easier financially, but also when it is extremely difficult. Why, because I know that I can do some things as can others that do not know the Lord personally. I want to allow others to see God through me when there is no way for me to have extended generosity apart from His grace. That is a testimony to an incredible God that we trust and serve.

Verse for the week and a remindeer of our motivatiion for being generous people this week. "for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9

Experiencing His Grace,
Pastor Steve