Called to Serve - Week 2 - Give Generously

Generosity is at the heart of God’s calling for His people. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Paul reminds us that our giving is not just a financial transaction, but a spiritual act rooted in trust, worship, and gratitude. The context of this passage is a famine in Jerusalem, where Paul is encouraging Gentile believers to fulfill their pledge to support their Jewish brothers and sisters. This act of giving is not only about meeting material needs, but also about building unity in the body of Christ and bearing witness to the gospel.

God’s economy operates differently from ours. While it may seem logical that giving away means having less, Paul assures us that God is able to bless us abundantly, providing all that we need so that we can continue to be generous. Our resources—skills, money, opportunities—are ultimately gifts from God. When we give, we acknowledge His provision and participate in His ongoing work. This is an act of worship, a declaration that we trust God more than our own ability to provide for ourselves.

Generosity is not about compulsion or reluctance, but about cheerful, willing hearts. God loves a cheerful giver because such giving reflects His own character. Even in times of financial uncertainty or personal hardship, we are called to remember that God is the source of all we have. Our generosity, especially when it is sacrificial, becomes a testimony to others, inspiring praise and thanksgiving to God.

Furthermore, our giving has ripple effects beyond the immediate need. It fosters unity among believers, breaks down barriers, and leads to mutual prayer and encouragement. As we give, we not only meet practical needs but also sow seeds of righteousness that will bear fruit in our lives and in the lives of others. Ultimately, our generosity points back to the indescribable gift of God in Christ, who gave Himself for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Generosity is an act of trust in God’s provision, not just a financial decision. When we give, we declare that our security is found in God, not in our own resources. This trust is especially vital when circumstances tempt us to hold back, reminding us that God is the true provider of all we have. [10:06]
• 2. God’s economy defies human logic: giving does not diminish us, but opens us to greater blessing and participation in God’s work. As we sow generously, God promises to supply and even increase our resources so that we can continue to be generous. This cycle of giving and receiving is a spiritual principle that deepens our faith and dependence on Him. [13:16]
• 3. Generosity is a form of worship and gratitude. Whether our giving is physical or electronic, it is a spiritual act that acknowledges God’s ownership and our thankfulness for His gifts. This posture transforms routine acts of giving into meaningful expressions of devotion. [16:40]
• 4. Our generosity has the power to build unity and break down barriers within the body of Christ. When we give to others, especially across cultural or social divides, we express solidarity and shared faith, fostering deeper relationships and mutual encouragement. [18:41]
• 5. The impact of our giving extends far beyond the immediate need—it inspires others, brings praise to God, and results in prayers and heartfelt connection among believers. Our acts of generosity become testimonies that point others to God’s grace and prompt a cycle of thanksgiving and blessing. [19:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:15] - Reading 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
• [02:13] - Recap: Living Sacrifices and Service
• [03:55] - Historical Context: Famine in Jerusalem
• [05:04] - Paul’s Collection for the Saints
• [06:15] - The Pledge and Collection Process
• [07:03] - Titus and the Delegation
• [08:18] - Possible Doubts and Challenges to Giving
• [09:18] - Modern Parallels: Financial Struggles
• [10:06] - Remembering God as Provider
• [11:09] - Serving God vs. Serving Money
• [12:08] - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
• [13:16] - God’s Economy vs. Human Logic
• [15:07] - Giving as Worship
• [17:12] - How Pastors Are Paid
• [18:11] - Generosity and Unity in the Church
• [19:54] - The Ripple Effect of Generosity
• [20:38] - Summary and Reflection
• [23:15] - Time of Silent Prayer
• [24:28] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (ESV) — 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,
14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul, what is the connection between sowing and reaping in the context of generosity? (v.6)
2. What does Paul say about the attitude we should have when we give? (v.7)
3. In the sermon, what was the historical situation that prompted Paul to encourage the Corinthians to give? [03:55]
4. What does Paul say will be the result of the Corinthians’ generosity for both the givers and the receivers? (v.11-14)

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon mentions that God’s economy “operates differently from ours.” What does this mean in practical terms for how we view our resources? [13:16]
2. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that giving should not be done “reluctantly or under compulsion”? How does this reflect God’s character? [00:15]
3. The sermon describes generosity as an act of worship and trust. In what ways does giving demonstrate our trust in God rather than in our own ability to provide? [16:40]
4. How does generosity help build unity and break down barriers within the church, especially across cultural or social divides? [18:41]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to see all our resources—skills, money, opportunities—as gifts from God. Is there an area of your life where you tend to see yourself as the provider rather than God? How might this affect your willingness to be generous? [10:06]
2. When have you felt tempted to “hold back” from giving, especially during times of financial uncertainty or personal hardship? What helped you trust God’s provision in those moments—or what could help you next time? [09:18]
3. The sermon says that generosity is a form of worship, not just a financial transaction. How could you make your giving (whether physical or electronic) a more intentional act of worship and gratitude? [16:40]
4. Paul’s collection for the Jerusalem church was about more than meeting material needs—it was about building unity. Is there someone or a group in the church you could reach out to in generosity to help foster unity or break down barriers? What might that look like? [18:41]
5. The impact of our giving goes beyond the immediate need—it inspires others and brings praise to God. Can you think of a time when someone’s generosity inspired you or led you to thank God? How might your own giving have a ripple effect in your community? [19:54]
6. The sermon asks, “Do you need to change your attitude to giving? Do you need to become more generous?” Take a moment to reflect honestly: is there a next step God might be prompting you to take in your giving? [21:57]
7. The passage ends with thanks for God’s “inexpressible gift” in Christ. How does remembering Jesus’ generosity toward us shape your own approach to giving and serving others? [20:38]