LIFESTYLE OF GENEROSITY (2)

“…though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” – 2 Corinthians 8:9b

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Epitome of the LIFESTYLE of GENEROSITY for God-glorifying Impact: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor.8:9). Understanding Divine Generosity is vital to receiving and operating in Divine Blessings and God-glorifying Impact. Our extremely generous God made abundant provision for diverse physical human needs (Psa.65:9-13). Psalm 65: 9 declares, “You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it.” God created the earth as a habitation for humankind, with rich, immeasurable resources.

God made the sun to give light and life that cause vegetation to grow. He sends rain to water the land and satiate our thirst. Yet, His generosity doesn’t end with meeting physical needs. The Lord also provided for all the spiritual needs of humankind through His Son Jesus Christ: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph.1:3). Christ Jesus purchased our redemption by His Blood. We have God’s Word to guide us, His Spirit to empower and transform us into Christ’s image, and His Body – the Church – to encourage, edify, and support us. We have access to the riches of His Grace, of His Glory, and of His Mercy (Eph.1:7,18; 2:4).

Yet Divine Generosity transcends all of these. God has also promised us an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance in heaven: “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1Pet.1:4). God’s Generosity is beyond human comprehension: “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Cor.2:9). Given all that He has so richly provided, gratitude should be our; while His generosity inspires us to manifest same towards others – to become an extension of His generosity!

We don’t have to be materially wealthy to be generous. The Macedonian Believers were a testament to this. Referring to them as a Model of Generosity, Paul encouraged them to follow through on their original commitment to support the Jerusalem church. Through their example, we see that a generous person is sensitive to the needs of others, even when he or she is passing through trials (v.2); a generous spirit sees needs as opportunities for stewardship (v.4); liberality flows from a life surrendered to God (v.5); and generosity is a decision, not an emotion: “readiness to desire” must lead to “completion” (v.11). A generous attitude has more to do with how much of me the Lord has, than how much money or other resources I have.