The Way of Generosity: Responding to God's Generosity

Day 1
Consider how God, in Christ, gives to us as you read Romans 5:8; Ephesians 3:17b-21; and 1 John 4:9-10. Do we trust God's love enough to come to God with hands and hearts wide open? In the passage from 2 Corinthians this week we read that Paul writes to the believers in Corinth and encourages them to give to the Jerusalem church, which is suffering persecution and is in great need. He teaches about sacrificial giving by using Jesus and the Macedonian churches as examples. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Pray you will understand and embrace the concept of sowing generously, and that you will see the privilege, joy, and benefit of giving from God's perspective. Pray the Spirit will lead you into an understanding of how you can live this out today. Read Hebrews 12:1-3 and run the race with joy.

Day 2
Tithing is the Scriptural standard for giving (Read Malachi 3:6-12), but if our hands are wide open, there is no limit to what God can move us to give and then do in and through us as we share what God places in our hands. And it doesn’t always begin with abundance - Read 1 Kings 17:7-16; Matthew 6:1-4; Luke 21:1-4; Mark 12: 41-44. (In these texts we see also a beautiful example of the phrase, "not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice." ) Prayerfully ponder giving or doing something outrageously, hilariously generous (anonymously, if possible). Allow the Lord to flood your heart with the joy of giving. Pray the lyrics: "We give Thee but Thine own, whate'er the gift may be; all that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee."

Day 3
Living Generously-Our motivation: We are to love the Lord and others wholeheartedly, and Jesus explains that that we are to love as he loves us, which means we are not only to love wholeheartedly but also sacrificially. The command is clear, but what might motivate us to live with open hearts and hands? It is not to earn salvation, for we are saved by grace. Read Psalm 100:1-5; Isaiah 58:10-11; John 15:9-12; Acts 20:35; and 2 Corinthians 1:20; 5:14-15; 8:1-5,9. Do words like gratitude, trust, God's promises, love, and joy come to mind?

Day 4
For God's Purpose, Mission, and Pleasure: Over a century ago, a speaker at a missionary convention, whose name has been forgotten, said, "Most people are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within His followers except the adoption of Christ's purposes toward the world. Fame, pleasure, and riches are (nothing) in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfillment of His eternal plans" (quoted in The Parables by Gary Inrig, p. 91; 1991, Discovery House Pub.). Read Luke 9:24-25; John 13:34-35; Acts 1:8; and 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Think about God's priorities; pray you will use what has been entrusted to you to live into God's mission.

Day 5
Our God, Who Blesses Us: Read 1 Kings 17:1-16. Did the widow become wealthy, or did she simply have enough? God also blesses us abundantly, but the best blessings are not material; consider the joy of being allowed to see more of God's glory and know more of Jesus' sweet presence in our lives. Read and pray Ephesians 1:17-19a; 3:14-21. Now ponder 2 Samuel 24:24; 2 Corinthians 9:7-11; Hebrews 13:5-8; and Isaac Watts' lyrics: "Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."