Generosity: A Divine Mandate for Kingdom Impact

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I am compelled to share with you a message that resonates deeply with my calling and the journey that has led me to this moment. My upbringing in a godly home, where my father's work as a homebuilder and rancher became a metaphor for my own calling, has prepared me for shepherding God's flock and leading church building projects. This is not just about the physical structures, but more importantly, about building the spiritual house of God.

We delved into the heart of giving, not as a mere act of charity, but as a divine mandate. The scripture from 2 Corinthians 9 was our guide, emphasizing that God provides us with resources not for our own accumulation but to be conduits of His generosity. We are called to give, not reluctantly, but cheerfully, reflecting the character of our generous God. The passage reminds us that our giving should result in a harvest of generosity within us, multiplying our ability to bless others.

The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Luke 9 was a powerful illustration of how even what we perceive as meager can be multiplied in the hands of Christ. We are each responsible for using the resources God has given us to feed and bless those in need. It is not the size of the gift that matters, but the obedience and cheerfulness of our giving.

As we considered the envelope in our hands, symbolizing our participation in the EVC Go Gift, we were reminded that our contributions go beyond this building, reaching communities locally and globally. We are part of a larger narrative, one that continues the acts of the Holy Spirit through the church, as seen in the book of Acts. Our mission is not confined to our immediate surroundings but extends to the ends of the earth.

The EVC Go Gift is a testament to our commitment to being one of the most generous churches, impacting lives through various ministries and church plants. We are living out the Great Commission, not only in word but in deed, as we support missionaries and church planters, provide for physical and spiritual needs, and ensure the gospel's reach is both deep and wide.

In conclusion, we were called to consider what God wants us to give so that the gospel may go forward through our congregation. Whether through going on mission trips, creating prayer quilts, or giving within our community, our actions are a reflection of the generous God we serve. We are to be stretched, like a rubber band, so that when we snap back, we bring with us a passion and fervor that will forever change our perspective and impact our world for Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- God provides us with resources not for our own sake but to be generous conduits of His blessings to others. Our giving should result in a harvest of generosity within us, enabling us to bless others even more. This is the true measure of divine provision and the purpose behind our abundance. [01:09:42 ]

- The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 teaches us that what we offer to God, no matter how small, can be multiplied to meet the needs of many. Our responsibility is to give what we have and trust in Jesus to do the miraculous. This principle applies to our resources, talents, and time. [01:18:47 ]

- Our mission as believers is not sequential but simultaneous. We are called to be witnesses for Christ in our local communities, our broader regions, and to the ends of the earth. The Great Commission is an all-encompassing mandate that requires our active participation in every sphere of influence. [45:21 ]

- The EVC Go Gift is a practical expression of our commitment to global missions. It funds the work of the church beyond our walls, supporting church plants, missionaries, and ministries that advance the Kingdom of God. Our generosity is a reflection of our obedience to God's call to give. [57:38 ]

- Personal experiences on mission trips or significant giving can stretch us and transform our worldview. When we return from these experiences, we bring back a renewed passion and perspective that can influence our communities for the better. This "rubber band effect" is vital for personal and communal spiritual growth. [50:06 ]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 - This passage emphasizes the principles of generous giving and the blessings that come from it.
2. Luke 9:10-17 - The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, illustrating how God can multiply our offerings to meet the needs of many.
3. Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission, calling believers to be witnesses for Christ locally and globally.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 say about the attitude we should have when giving? How does it describe the results of generous giving?
2. In Luke 9:10-17, what did Jesus do with the five loaves and two fish? How did the disciples participate in the miracle?
3. According to Acts 1:8, where are believers called to be witnesses for Christ? How does this passage describe the scope of our mission?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the principle of cheerful giving in 2 Corinthians 9:7 challenge common attitudes towards giving in the church today? [01:02:06 ]
2. What does the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 teach us about the potential impact of our seemingly small contributions? [01:18:47 ]
3. How does Acts 1:8 redefine the concept of missions from being a distant activity to an all-encompassing mandate for every believer? [45:21 ]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you gave cheerfully. How did it impact you and those who received your gift? How can you cultivate a habit of cheerful giving in your life? [01:02:06 ]
2. Think about the resources, talents, and time you have. How can you offer these to God, trusting Him to multiply them for His purposes, just as He did with the loaves and fish? [01:18:47 ]
3. The sermon mentioned the "rubber band effect" of being stretched and then snapping back with renewed passion. Have you experienced this in your spiritual journey? How can you seek out opportunities that will stretch your faith? [50:06 ]
4. How can you actively participate in the Great Commission in your local community, broader region, and globally? Identify one specific action you can take in each area this month. [45:21 ]
5. The EVC Go Gift is a practical expression of commitment to global missions. How can you contribute to this initiative, whether through financial giving, prayer, or participation in mission trips? [57:38 ]
6. Consider the story of the clinic in Honduras. How does this example inspire you to trust God with your resources and to believe that your contributions can have a significant impact? [55:43 ]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or church to embrace a lifestyle of generosity and active participation in God's mission? What steps can you take together to support each other in this journey? [01:09:42 ]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Provision for Generosity
God entrusts us with resources not for our own benefit but to act as channels of His grace and provision. When one receives, it is not to hoard or to create an empire of personal wealth, but to extend the reach of divine generosity. This stewardship is a sacred trust, an opportunity to mirror the heart of God who gives abundantly and without reservation. The act of giving, therefore, becomes a reflection of one's understanding of God's purpose for provision. It is in the cheerful and willing act of giving that one truly aligns with the divine intent, cultivating a spirit of generosity that not only meets the needs of others but also enriches the giver's soul. This cycle of blessing is meant to perpetuate, creating a harvest of generosity that multiplies beyond measure. [01:09:42]

"But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also." - 2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV

Reflection: How can you excel in the act of grace through giving this week, and what might be the first step in transforming your resources into a harvest of generosity?

Day 2: Multiplication of Our Meager Offerings
The biblical account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with a few loaves and fishes is a testament to the principle that God can take what little we have and multiply it for His purposes. It is not the magnitude of the gift but the heart of obedience and trust behind it that matters. When one offers their resources, talents, or time to God, even if they seem insignificant, they can be used to create an impact far beyond human expectations. This principle encourages believers to give freely, trusting that God will use their contributions to bless many. The act of giving becomes an act of faith, a belief in the miraculous potential that lies within the hands of Christ. [01:18:47]

"And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd." - Luke 9:16 ESV

Reflection: What is something small you can offer to God this week, trusting that He can multiply it for His glory?

Day 3: The Great Commission's Simultaneous Call
The Great Commission is not a sequential mission but a simultaneous call to action. Believers are tasked with being witnesses for Christ in their immediate communities, their broader regions, and to the ends of the earth. This all-encompassing mandate requires active participation in every sphere of influence, recognizing that the mission field is as close as one's neighbor and as far as distant nations. The call to spread the gospel is not limited by geography or circumstance; it is a continuous effort that intertwines with daily life. This understanding propels believers to engage in the mission wherever they are, making disciples and sharing the love of Christ in both word and deed. [45:21]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15 ESV

Reflection: In what ways can you be a witness for Christ in your local community and beyond this week?

Day 4: Generosity as Obedience to Global Missions
The EVC Go Gift represents a tangible commitment to the global mission of the church. It is an act of obedience to God's call to support the work of the Kingdom beyond one's own walls. This generosity funds church plants, missionaries, and ministries that are actively advancing the gospel. It is a practical expression of faith, demonstrating a willingness to invest in the spiritual and physical well-being of others. Through such giving, believers participate in a larger narrative of God's redemptive work, ensuring that the reach of the gospel is both deep and wide. [57:38]

"Thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." - 1 Timothy 6:19 ESV

Reflection: How can your giving this week reflect a commitment to global missions and the advancement of the gospel?

Day 5: The Transformative Power of Stretching Through Giving
Significant acts of giving, whether through mission trips or substantial contributions, have the power to stretch us beyond our comfort zones. This stretching is transformative, altering our worldview and igniting a renewed passion for service. Like a rubber band stretched to its limit, when we are pulled beyond our usual boundaries, we gain a new perspective that, upon returning to our daily lives, can influence our communities for the better. This "rubber band effect" is essential for personal growth and the expansion of the Kingdom of God. [50:06]

"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." - Luke 18:1 ESV

Reflection: What is one way you can stretch beyond your comfort zone in giving or service this week, and how might this change your perspective?

Quotes

- "We serve a giving, generous God, not a reluctant one. But do we follow in that same character?" [01:03:28 ] (Download | )

- "The way that we give is often understood of how we actually view God. If we hold back, we're actually seeing God as this reluctant type Giver." [01:04:43 ] (Download | )

- "A small gift in the hands of Jesus is a big gift. It does not matter how much we give as long as we give with a cheerful heart." [01:20:04 ] (Download | Download cropped video)

- "Our reward comes in the transformation of the lives of others. Here's what Paul says: 'Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can also be always generous.'" [01:11:37 ] (Download | )

- "We are called to go to our community, to our homes, to our neighborhoods, and to the ends of the Earth and everything in between. We are called to go." [38:37 ] (Download | )

- "God provides the seed for the farmer and then the bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide you with an increase in your resources that you would produce a great harvest of generosity in you." [01:09:42 ] (Download | )

- "We receive so that it multiplies our giving. We could be a conduit connected to God where he is continually getting his resources to the places and people that he needs them to go to." [01:11:01 ] (Download | )

- "I feel like my whole life has prepared me for just a moment just like this... I get to shepherd a ranch of people and lead building projects at EVC." [35:18 ] (Download | )

- "The EVC Go Gift... 100% of it goes outside these walls literally to the world. It funds all the ministry and the things that happen at what we call EVC go." [38:00 ] (Download | )

- "The church that started all these other churches now needs help from all the churches to help the mother church... You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous." [01:12:08 ] (Download | )

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Transcript
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