The Generosity Challenge
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8,
“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.“ (v1-2)
While serving as a pastor in Atlanta, our church partnered with a homeless outreach center downtown. We regularly organized a group from our church to go down on the weekends and serve a meal, lead a worship service, and spend time with the homeless guests who would gather at the center. The first time we were scheduled to go, I was excited. The idea of going to help people in need was energizing and motivating. I felt like we were taking to heart Jesus' call to care for the poor.
I had imagined that between the worship music, teaching, and a hot meal, we would minister to the guests at the center in significant ways. But when it was all said and done, I think they taught me more than I taught them.
The big lesson I learned was about generosity.
It happened during our worship service.
After the worship music and right before the sermon, a staff member from the center came up front to give a few announcements. Then, he took an offering. I was shocked that the center was doing this. As the offering was being introduced, I thought to myself, "These people don't have anything. What are they going to give? This must be offensive to them!" But as the plates were passed, numerous people gladly gave what they could from what they had.
While I was shocked that the center was even taking an offering, I was even more amazed that the homeless guests were giving! They were giving joyfully with no sense of obligation.
It reminded me of the story of the Widow's Offering in Luke 21,
“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (v1-4)
That evening, I was confronted with the fact that I had way more than the people in the worship service. But while they were quick to give, and to do so cheerfully, I held on tightly to everything I had.
Even to this day, there are times I struggle to be generous. When I'm slow to give it comes from a lack of trust that God is going to provide what I need. It comes from a place of thinking that I am responsible for my safety and security rather than believing God will protect. It comes from a place of over prioritizing comfort and ease rather than seeking to steward what God has given me for the sake of His Kingdom and glory. A lack of generosity is simply prioritizing myself over others.
As I reflect on that night, I am reminded of a few things.
Everything I have is a gift from God.
I am a steward, not an owner of any of it.
Kingdom generosity is motivated by joy.
God is delighted by the heart of the giver more than the amount given.
The real reason we give is because of how much God has given us. Not just in money and stuff, but in his Son.
In the same chapter on giving and generosity, 2 Corinthians 8, Paul writes,
“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.” (v9)
Therefore, be generous, because God has been generous to you.