To further explore Pastor Ernie’s message from Sunday, look at how to have “Eureka” breakthroughs of radical generosity! By understanding that generosity is beneficial to the giver and the receiver, you won’t dread giving but be excited about it. If you’re using your circumstances as excuses to get out of being generous, you need to examine your heart.
1) Circumstances are not barriers but rather the bridges to generosity. No matter what you’re going though, you have something you can give. You’ll find God faithful in these circumstances.2) Give to your ability and beyond your ability! Don’t just give of your time, resources, and money at a basic level. Give above and beyond the way God does.3) Intentionally pursue the privilege of giving! Don’t just wait for opportunities to present themselves; look for opportunities to give. 4) Excel in the grace of giving as part of your overall LIFE PORTFOLIO! Be known as a giver and not a Scrooge. 5) Jesus modeled radical generosity as the pattern of every Christian! Generosity isn’t just for the wealthy. Read about the widow’s two mites in Luke 21:1-4.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) says, “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.” Pastor Ernie said, “Our sacrifice in giving should be to the same proportion as Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf!” He pointed out that because of Jesus, you are to give freely, wisely, often, generously, and thankfully! Jesus sacrificed Himself for you, despite the unimaginable pain and suffering He went through to make that sacrifice.
God can do more than you can even imagine (Ephesians 3:20). You’re not generous just to get something out of it or to get recognition! But it it’s true that God works in miraculous ways and blesses the generous. Have you ever experienced the joy that comes from giving to others? Look at Acts 20:35. “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” If you don’t believe it, just try it!