True Generosity: The Heart Behind Giving
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound concept of generosity through the lens of Mark 12:41-44, where Jesus observes a poor widow giving her last two coins to the temple treasury. This act of sacrificial giving, though seemingly insignificant in monetary value, deeply impressed Jesus because it came from a place of genuine need and heartfelt devotion. The widow's offering was a true testament to her faith and trust in God's provision, contrasting sharply with the wealthy who gave out of their abundance without any real sacrifice.
Generosity is not about the amount given but the heart and sacrifice behind the giving. True generosity often involves giving something that costs us, something that we might be tempted to hold onto tightly. This was illustrated through a personal story from my Bible college days, where I felt compelled by God to give my new shoes to a homeless man on Skid Row. This act of giving was not easy, but it was a moment of true generosity because it required a personal sacrifice.
We often mistakenly associate generosity solely with financial wealth, but it encompasses much more. It includes our time, talents, and treasures. The early church exemplified this holistic generosity by selling their possessions to meet each other's needs, creating a community marked by unity and mutual care. This kind of generosity is a powerful witness to the world, drawing people to Christ through our actions more than our words.
Generosity is a response to the goodness of God. It is recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him and choosing to give back in gratitude. This perspective shifts our focus from what we lack to what we can offer, fostering a spirit of abundance rather than scarcity. Living generously is not just about financial giving but about a lifestyle that reflects God's love and provision in every area of our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Sacrificial Giving: True generosity is marked by sacrifice. It’s not about the amount but the cost to the giver. The widow’s offering of two small coins was significant because it was all she had, demonstrating her deep trust in God’s provision. This kind of giving challenges us to evaluate whether our generosity truly costs us something. [02:21]
2. Generosity Beyond Wealth: Generosity is not limited to financial giving. It includes our time, talents, and treasures. The early church exemplified this by selling their possessions to meet each other’s needs, creating a community of mutual care and support. This holistic approach to generosity can transform our communities and draw people to Christ. [21:21]
3. God’s Goodness in All Circumstances: The widow’s act of giving was a response to the goodness of God, despite her difficult circumstances. This teaches us that God’s goodness is not dependent on our material blessings. True spiritual maturity is recognizing and worshiping God’s goodness in both good and bad times. [15:53]
4. Generosity as a Witness: Living generously is a powerful witness to the world. The early Christians were known for their generosity, which distinguished them from the surrounding culture. Our acts of generosity can draw people to Christ, showing them a tangible expression of God’s love and care. [24:24]
5. Generosity as a Response to God’s Generosity: Our generosity should be a response to God’s ultimate act of generosity—sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us. This sacrificial act calls us to live generously in every aspect of our lives, reflecting God’s love and provision to those around us. [18:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:55] - First-Time Guests and Giveaway
[01:29] - Introduction to the Sermon Series
[02:21] - Reading from Mark 12:41-44
[03:09] - Opening Prayer
[04:04] - Story from Bible College
[07:09] - Encounter on Skid Row
[10:22] - The Cost of Generosity
[11:51] - Misconceptions About Generosity
[13:36] - Jesus’ Perspective on the Widow’s Offering
[15:53] - God’s Goodness in All Circumstances
[17:03] - The Good Shepherd
[18:29] - God’s Ultimate Act of Generosity
[20:55] - Generosity in the Early Church
[24:24] - Generosity as a Witness
[27:21] - True Revival and Community Transformation
[29:32] - Living Generously in All Aspects
[33:25] - Breaking Misconceptions About God’s Goodness
[34:17] - Generosity is for Everyone
[36:20] - Imagine a Generous Church
[38:35] - Double Dog Dare to Live Generously
[39:35] - Invitation to the 90-Day Tithe Challenge
[40:05] - Call to Accept Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Mark 12:41-44 (NIV): "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus observe about the giving habits of the rich people and the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44?
2. How did Jesus respond to the widow’s offering compared to the offerings of the wealthy? [02:21]
3. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate sacrificial giving? [04:04]
4. How did the early church demonstrate generosity according to the sermon? [21:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus was more impressed with the widow’s offering than the larger amounts given by the wealthy? [02:21]
2. How does the pastor’s story about giving his shoes to a homeless man illustrate the concept of sacrificial giving? [04:04]
3. What does the pastor mean when he says that generosity is not just about financial wealth but also includes time and talents? [11:51]
4. How does the early church’s practice of selling possessions to meet each other’s needs serve as a model for modern Christian communities? [21:21]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you gave something that truly cost you. How did that experience impact your understanding of generosity? [10:22]
2. In what ways can you be generous with your time and talents, not just your money? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [11:51]
3. How can you cultivate a heart of generosity in response to God’s goodness, even in difficult circumstances? [15:53]
4. The early church was known for its generosity and mutual care. How can your small group or church community better reflect this kind of generosity? [21:21]
5. Think about the pastor’s challenge to live generously as a witness to the world. What is one practical step you can take to demonstrate God’s love through generosity this week? [24:24]
6. How does recognizing everything we have as a gift from God change our perspective on giving? What can you do to foster a spirit of abundance rather than scarcity in your life? [18:29]
7. The pastor mentioned that true revival is marked by community transformation. How can you contribute to transforming your community through acts of generosity? [27:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Sacrificial Giving: True Trust in God
True generosity is marked by sacrifice. It’s not about the amount but the cost to the giver. The widow’s offering of two small coins was significant because it was all she had, demonstrating her deep trust in God’s provision. This kind of giving challenges us to evaluate whether our generosity truly costs us something. [02:21]
In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observes a poor widow giving her last two coins to the temple treasury. This act of sacrificial giving, though seemingly insignificant in monetary value, deeply impressed Jesus because it came from a place of genuine need and heartfelt devotion. The widow's offering was a true testament to her faith and trust in God's provision, contrasting sharply with the wealthy who gave out of their abundance without any real sacrifice.
Generosity is not about the amount given but the heart and sacrifice behind the giving. True generosity often involves giving something that costs us, something that we might be tempted to hold onto tightly. This was illustrated through a personal story from my Bible college days, where I felt compelled by God to give my new shoes to a homeless man on Skid Row. This act of giving was not easy, but it was a moment of true generosity because it required a personal sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 8:2-3 (ESV): "For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord."
Reflection: Think of a time when you gave something that truly cost you. How did it feel, and what did you learn about trust in God through that experience?
Day 2: Generosity Beyond Wealth: Time, Talents, and Treasures
Generosity is not limited to financial giving. It includes our time, talents, and treasures. The early church exemplified this by selling their possessions to meet each other’s needs, creating a community of mutual care and support. This holistic approach to generosity can transform our communities and draw people to Christ. [21:21]
We often mistakenly associate generosity solely with financial wealth, but it encompasses much more. It includes our time, talents, and treasures. The early church exemplified this holistic generosity by selling their possessions to meet each other's needs, creating a community marked by unity and mutual care. This kind of generosity is a powerful witness to the world, drawing people to Christ through our actions more than our words.
Generosity is a response to the goodness of God. It is recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him and choosing to give back in gratitude. This perspective shifts our focus from what we lack to what we can offer, fostering a spirit of abundance rather than scarcity. Living generously is not just about financial giving but about a lifestyle that reflects God's love and provision in every area of our lives.
Acts 4:32-35 (ESV): "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."
Reflection: In what ways can you use your time, talents, and treasures to meet the needs of those around you this week?
Day 3: God’s Goodness in All Circumstances
The widow’s act of giving was a response to the goodness of God, despite her difficult circumstances. This teaches us that God’s goodness is not dependent on our material blessings. True spiritual maturity is recognizing and worshiping God’s goodness in both good and bad times. [15:53]
The widow’s act of giving was a response to the goodness of God, despite her difficult circumstances. This teaches us that God’s goodness is not dependent on our material blessings. True spiritual maturity is recognizing and worshiping God’s goodness in both good and bad times. The widow’s faith and trust in God’s provision, even in her poverty, is a powerful reminder that God’s goodness transcends our circumstances.
Generosity is a response to the goodness of God. It is recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him and choosing to give back in gratitude. This perspective shifts our focus from what we lack to what we can offer, fostering a spirit of abundance rather than scarcity. Living generously is not just about financial giving but about a lifestyle that reflects God's love and provision in every area of our lives.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: How can you recognize and celebrate God’s goodness in your life, even when circumstances are challenging?
Day 4: Generosity as a Witness to the World
Living generously is a powerful witness to the world. The early Christians were known for their generosity, which distinguished them from the surrounding culture. Our acts of generosity can draw people to Christ, showing them a tangible expression of God’s love and care. [24:24]
Living generously is a powerful witness to the world. The early Christians were known for their generosity, which distinguished them from the surrounding culture. Our acts of generosity can draw people to Christ, showing them a tangible expression of God’s love and care. When we live generously, we reflect the character of God and His love for humanity.
Generosity is a response to the goodness of God. It is recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him and choosing to give back in gratitude. This perspective shifts our focus from what we lack to what we can offer, fostering a spirit of abundance rather than scarcity. Living generously is not just about financial giving but about a lifestyle that reflects God's love and provision in every area of our lives.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: What is one specific act of generosity you can do this week to show God’s love to someone in your community?
Day 5: Generosity as a Response to God’s Generosity
Our generosity should be a response to God’s ultimate act of generosity—sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us. This sacrificial act calls us to live generously in every aspect of our lives, reflecting God’s love and provision to those around us. [18:29]
Our generosity should be a response to God’s ultimate act of generosity—sending His Son, Jesus, to die for us. This sacrificial act calls us to live generously in every aspect of our lives, reflecting God’s love and provision to those around us. When we understand the depth of God’s generosity towards us, it compels us to be generous in return.
Generosity is a response to the goodness of God. It is recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him and choosing to give back in gratitude. This perspective shifts our focus from what we lack to what we can offer, fostering a spirit of abundance rather than scarcity. Living generously is not just about financial giving but about a lifestyle that reflects God's love and provision in every area of our lives.
1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: How can you reflect God’s sacrificial love in your daily interactions and decisions this week?
Quotes
1. "I share that with you because, honestly, that was a moment of generosity. It was a moment of generosity because my giving cost me something. It was sacrificial. I didn't give out of the surplus of shoes that I had. I didn't give out of the wealth that I had. I gave out of exactly what I had that was mine and provisional to me. And it cost me something. I had to sacrifice something in order to give it to this person to operate and walk in generosity." [10:22] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you want to know if something is you being generous or if you are walking in generosity, my question to you would be, when you gave it, did it hurt you? When you gave it, did it cost you something? When you gave it, did you have a moment of debate saying, God, is there another way that you can do this? Because true generosity is indicative of the posture of your heart. And also on the base of it being sacrificial." [11:07] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The question that I would present to you is, that I have asked myself, why did this poor widow give? Her very last two coins to the temple courts. Scripture isn't clear. Scripture doesn't indicate. There was no commentary that suggests why she did. But I can only speculate why she gave. She probably gave out of a response to the goodness of God. Wait. How is God good in her situation? She's poor. Her husband's dead. She's a widow. She's probably childless because it says she's poor, so that means she doesn't have a son who is helping her." [14:28] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You know what the problem is with the church today? Is that we only associate God being good with the blessings he gives us. God is good when the medical report is good. God is good when I got the raise. God is good when I put a ring on it. God is good when the money's good. God is good when the business is good. But when the business is bad, God's not too good. When the medical report is bad, God's not too good. When the medical report comes back and I don't really like it, God is not good. We've associated the goodness of God with the blessings that are in your hands." [15:13] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Can you say that he's still good in your life in difficult situations? Can you still worship in the midst of hard times? Can you still walk in obedience in the midst of hard times, knowing that he is everything? That he is a good God? That he's always been good? He doesn't stop being good. He continues to be good. Because I want you to know something, that if God did nothing more than send his son to die on a cross and be resurrected on the third day for you, if he did nothing more than that, that very act was good enough in itself and undeserved on our part. But yet he gives it to us." [17:49] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Christianity would have faded away? Without generous Christians? Christianity would have faded without, go to the verse, Acts chapter two. When we did ingredients of a healthy church, we looked at this. This is the early church. This is what happened after the church gets birthed, right? Peter's in the balcony. He's preaching the gospel. 3,000 people get saved and now they got to do something with these people. They got to have a church and go to lunch. This is what it said. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship and to breaking of bread and prayer." [20:35] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Imagine what this church would look like if we all chose to live generously amongst each other. Imagine what it would look like if we all chose to live generously amongst each other. Imagine how we would take care of each other. Imagine what the onlookers in the world would think about the actual true church when we start being the actual true church. Nobody wants to go to your stupid church because it's new or it's cool because it has an LED wall. They want to go because they see something different. And they want to see it in you and they want to see it in us and they want to see it in me." [23:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The beauty and the importance of generosity is that it has this unique and profound ability to let people, the pagans as the Roman emperor calls themselves, look at him and then look at us and say, man, I don't know what they have, man, but they love each other well. Wouldn't you like to say that they love each other well? Man, these Christians, even though they go to different churches, they really love each other well. There's blood in the crypts on these streets with churches, man. I'm telling y'all, we be church banging. It's insane." [28:27] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Imagine what the collective, imagine shine the collective. Imagine what the capital C church could look like in our city if we made the decision to live generously. When we do serve day, instead of 10% of the church showing up, 100% shows up to say, I'm going to generously serve and love on my city. Quit making excuses for not living a life of generosity. Because you can naturally be a generous person when you identify and recognize and hold to the good goodness of God." [36:20] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Imagine the city calling the church and saying hey we need help because your church is so generous. We need help in this situation. You want to know something this might step on toes. I've heard it this way. I've worked for non-profits. You know why faith based non-profit organization exists? Because the church isn't doing their job. Honestly. Someone who's worked in the non-profit sector. I can say that in the faith based community. Because our job is to give ourselves to the benevolence. Our job is to give ourselves to orphans and widows." [31:15] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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