At Connect Church, one of our core values is “Generosity Matters.” It’s a simple statement that is thrown around often, but rarely explained in more detail. In this article, we will take a deeper dive into Generosity, looking to Scripture to explore its meaning and drawing some supporting conclusions for our argument that it matters, not only to us but to God.
Before tackling the importance of Generosity, we must first understand what the word implies. In the context of Connect Church, “Generosity” is used primarily in reference to the giving of our tithes and offerings in corporate worship. In this sense of the word, generosity is an action. Moved by the Holy Spirit, people give to the Lord through the ministry of Connect Church. So, is “Generosity” simply another word for “Giving”? This seems to provide a minimal definition, but is there something more? Let’s explore a little farther.
In the NIV translation of the Bible, the word “Generous” or “Generosity” is used eleven times. Seven of those are found in the New Testament, and five are found in a singular passage: 2 Corinthians 8-9. At this point in his letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul begins to make his plea for an offering to be taken up in support of the Christians in Jerusalem. He uses the neighboring province of Macedonia as an example in his opening statement: “And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.” He then continues to describe the circumstances surrounding their gifts. “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” There’s our word! So it is here we find our first clue as to the meaning behind this term. Paul shares that the churches in Macedonia gave, not in a time of peace and prosperity, but in a time of persecution and poverty. How is this possible? The key is found in verse 1, in the phrase, “the grace God has given.” What is this grace? Verse 2 tells us it is “overflowing joy,” that resulted in “rich generosity.” Generosity, then, is not simply the act of giving, but giving that is brought about because of God’s gift of joy in our lives.
Let’s continue in this passage. In verses 8-9, Paul introduces another example of generous giving: “I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 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.” If the example of the Macedonians wasn’t enough to compel the Corinthians, certainly the example of Christ would carry more weight. In a brilliant manner, Paul expands the idea of generosity beyond the purse strings and money bags of the Corinthians to their very lives. He points to the “richness” Jesus experienced in Heaven with the Father, in perfect harmony and glory. He then alludes to His becoming “poor,” by leaving all of that behind. In another letter, Paul would express it this way: [Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil. 2:6-7). So, Paul makes the case that Jesus was rich, then became poor. What does that have to do with generosity? In the middle of those two realities, Paul reveals the “Why?” behind Jesus’ action. He became poor “for your sake” and that “through his poverty, [you] might become rich.” This act of giving Himself was not a selfish action, but a selfless one, intended for the betterment of others. The point to be taken by the Corinthians is that generosity is a selfless, sacrificial action that mirrors the very heart of Christ.
Paul bolsters his argument in chapter 9 by highlighting the benefit that comes from generous giving. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously…And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (vs. 6, 8). The blessing promised is one of abundance, which signifies it will be more than what is needed. It is crucial to note that the blessing is not guaranteed to be material in nature, but will ensure that those who give generously will have at least “all that [they need],” “at all times,” so they might “abound in every good work.” The question could be asked here, “How do I receive a blessing if my giving leaves me with less than what I had before?” Jesus Himself taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The blessings that flow from generous living may not be measured in wealth or possessions, but they will last longer, satisfy deeper, and reach farther than any material gain ever could.
As we saw earlier, Paul wrote in chapter 8 about the gift of generosity, flowing from a heart of joy. In verses 10 and 11 of chapter 9, he takes that idea a step farther, revealing that God is not only the supplier of the joy for generosity, but also of the substance. “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…”. Keeping with his agricultural analogy from the previous verses about “sowing” and “reaping,” Paul speaks here of “seed” that is supplied. The point he is trying to get across is that, just as God supplies farmers with seed that grows into a bountiful harvest, He provides generous givers with resources to share with others, that they might grow into a “harvest of righteousness.” The phrase “enriched in every way” is another reminder that generosity is not confined to the realm of finances, but includes much more. Regardless of what is being given, generosity is not born out of a frugal heart that worries about supply, but is best exhibited in those who give lavishly, confident that the supply will be provided.
In closing, Paul points us to one more truth about generosity. Let’s examine verses 11b-13: “...through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” Generous living leads to grateful thanksgiving. Paul reminds the Church at Corinth that obedience in the area of generosity serves as an accompaniment to their confession of the Gospel. In other words, true believers will be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22). Real Gospel living involves more than just knowing what to believe; it requires followers of Jesus to live out what they believe—not just on Sundays in the church building, but every day, wherever they go. When people see faith in action, and experience the impact of generous giving, their response should not be simply an appreciation to those who gave, but an offering of praise and thanksgiving to the One who made the gift possible. When generosity happens, both the giver and the recipient exclaim with Paul in verse 15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
What, then, can we take away from this study of Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians? I believe we see five ways in which God is glorified through our Generosity.
We Exercise the Gift of God
We Exemplify the Character of God
We Experience the Blessing of God
We Expect the Provision of God
We Express our Thanks to God
This is what we have in mind when we talk about Generosity at Connect Church. We believe God calls us to be generous with our Time, our Talents, and our Treasure. In each of those areas, God supplies and provides, entrusting us with precious resources. Following the example of Christ, our Lord, we should freely, sacrificially, and cheerfully give those resources in service to others, trusting in His power to grow them and use them as He sees fit. The end result will be our blessing and His glorification. Generosity is not just a one-time choice, but a life-long journey. It is not just an action in a worship service, but an attitude in a worshiper’s heart. May we always be known as a generous Church, to the glory of God. Generosity Matters.