Acts 2:44-47
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
A generous person is one who is willing to give and to share. As believers and the church of Jesus Christ, that is one trait that should be evident in our midst. The Jerusalem church displayed generosity to proportions that we even find hard to comprehend today. They were so united in their faith that none looked at what they had as their own, but rather as belonging to the fellowship. The bible says they had all things in common, and none among them was in need.
We have a lot of teaching and preaching in our churches about tithing and giving, but rarely do we hear messages about generosity. As long as we have given of our tithes and offerings, many of us feel that we have fulfilled our spiritual obligations, and it ends there. We are not generous towards one another. We have no concern for the need of others around us, though we claim to be in fellowship.
When we get to a place of unity spiritually understanding that we belong to the same body with Christ as the head, then we will not place material things above our fellowship and unity as a body.
When the love of Christ truly flows in us, then we will be generous towards one another. The bible has so much to say about generosity, which should be a way of life for the believer.
Psalm 112:5 NIV
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV
10 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. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
These and more verses show us that God is pleased when we give in Church, and also to one another. There is a blessing that is attached to those who give generously.
Reflections
When was the last time you heard a sermon about generosity?
Do you give generously to others or are you a stingy fellow?
If a new member joined your church, would generosity be one of the things they would point out about your church?
