GOD DOES NOT WANT SPIRITUAL GIFTS ALONE. GOD WANTS A CHURCH MARKED BY INTEGRITY, SURRENDERED AND GENEROSITY THAT REFLECTS HIS CHARACTER.

 

32 Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. 34 For there was not a needy person among them because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of what was sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet. This was then distributed to each person as any had need. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas (which is translated Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife's knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 "Ananias," Peter asked, "why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 Wasn't it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn't it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God." 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. 6 The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him. 7 About three hours later, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 "Tell me," Peter asked her, "did you sell the land for this price?" "Yes," she said, "for that price." 9 Then Peter said to her, "Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. 11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

ACTS 4:32-37; 5:1-11 (CSB)

 

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO GIVE LARGE OFFERINGS, DO GREAT WORKS OF CHARITY, HELP PEOPLE; BUT THEY DO IT WITH THE WRONG MOTIVE.

 

THE STORY OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA REVEALS HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO TRY TO PRACTICE OUTWARD GENEROSITY WITHOUT FIRST ALLOWING GOD TO TRANSFORM THE HEART. THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO RECOVER THE MEANING OF TRUE BIBLICAL GENEROSITY.

 

THE ABUSE OF A PRINCIPLE DOES NOT INVALIDATE THE PRINCIPLE.

 

PRAYER, ANOINTING, AND THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE ESSENTIAL, BUT SO IS THE ACTIVE AND GENEROUS PARTICIPATION OF BELIEVERS. WE CANNOT PRAY, "LORD, PROVIDE," WHILE REFUSING TO BE PART OF THE PROVISION GOD DESIRES TO USE.

 

(4) THINGS THAT GENEROSITY REVEALS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN.

 

#01: GENEROSITY REVEALS TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON GOD

 

8'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the Lord Almighty.

HAGGAI 2:8 (NIV)

 

#02: GENEROSITY REFLECTS THE CHARACTER OF JESUS.

 

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 JOHN 4:7-8 (CSB)

 

#03: GENEROSITY CULTIVATES TRUE EMPATHY

 

STINGINESS IS THE PRODUCT OF SELFISHNESS AND GREED. IT TRAPS THE PERSON INTO THEIR OWN FEARS & ANXIETIES. BUT GENEROSITY OPENS THE EYES TO NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

 

#04: GENEROSITY BREAKS THE BONDAGE OF  MATERIALISM.

 

GENEROSITY IS NOT CONTROL

 

TRUE GENEROSITY DOES NOT TRY TO DECEIVE GOD

 

IT IS ONE THING TO OBEY GOD’S PROMISES AND DISCOVER HIS FAITHFULNESS; IT IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT TO TEST HIS KNOWLEDGE AND HOLINESS.

 

GOD IS NOT IMPRESSED BY THE AMOUNT WE PLACE IN FRONT OF THE PEOPLE. GOD EXAMINES THE TRUTH THAT EXISTS WITHIN THE HEART.

 

DO NOT COME BEFORE GOD PRETENDING TO HAVE A SURRENDER HEART. BE HONEST: "LORED, I STILL HAVE A HARD TIME LETTING GO. I AM STILL AFRAID. I STILL WANT TO CONTROL. BUT TODAY I WANT TO LEARN TO TRUST AND SURRENDER."

 

GENEROSITY DOES NOT BEGIN IN THE POCKET; IT STARTS IN THE HEART. AND WHERE THERE IS TRUE SURRENDER, GENEROSITY BEGINS TO FLOW.