What other scriptures emphasize the importance of generosity and readiness to give? Generosity in the Law and Prophets • Deuteronomy 15:7-8 “If there is a poor man among your brothers … you must not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.” • Proverbs 11:24-25 “One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” • Proverbs 19:17 “Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.” • Isaiah 58:10 “If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will dawn in the darkness…” • Malachi 3:10 “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse … and test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts, “to see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.” Generosity in Jesus’ Teaching • Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” • Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” • Luke 12:33-34 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven…” • Luke 14:13-14 “When you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Generosity in the Early Church • Acts 2:45 “Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.” • Acts 4:34-35 “There were no needy ones among them … the proceeds were distributed to each according to need.” • Acts 20:35 “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” • Romans 12:13 “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” • 1 Timothy 6:17-18 “Command those who are rich in this present age … to be generous and ready to share.” • Hebrews 13:16 “And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” • 1 John 3:17-18 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no compassion on him, how can the love of God abide in him? … let us love not in word or speech, but in action and truth.” Connecting Back to 2 Corinthians 9 • 2 Corinthians 8:12 “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Cultivating Readiness to Give Today • Keep your heart open—generosity begins with compassion (Proverbs 3:27). • Plan ahead—set aside resources so you can meet needs quickly (1 Corinthians 16:2). • Trust God’s provision—He promises to supply seed to the sower and bread for food (2 Corinthians 9:10). • Remember the eternal impact—giving stores up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20). • Act promptly—needs are met when love moves from intention to action (James 2:15-16). |
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