May 8, 2020

Good morning Friends,

Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, Please, give me a little water from your jar. Drink, my lord, she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking. So, she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. Gen 24:15-20 (NIV)

Rebekah choose to be generous even when it required hard work and sacrifice. Note, Rebekah’s generosity was not an impulsive decision but a deliberate one. Her generosity flowed out of who she was. This act of kindness was a significant sign to the servant of Abraham. God had indeed answered his prayer and had shown kindness to Abraham in directing him to the chosen wife for Isaac.

Generosity is at its core, a lifestyle, a lifestyle in which we share what we have, (time, talent, treasures) as a demonstration of God’s love and a response to God’s grace.

This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And who made it disappear. 1 John 3:16-17 (MSG)

These verses give an example of how believers can help those in need with their worldly goods. Seldom will believers be called upon to experience martyrdom for another. However, every day we will face needy people whom we ought to be willing to help if we have the resources to do so; most people have more than they need.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7 (NIV)

The Christians generosity is a decision of the heart. Even though Paul was the one appealing for their generosity, he was careful to give the Corinthians enough time to think and to pray about how God wanted them to respond. Paul didn’t want anyone showing generosity reluctantly or in response to pressure. Paul knew that God looks at the heart and not the level of our generosity; he looks at the giver and not the gift. One who gives cheerfully out of a sincere gratitude for what God has done, is the type of giver God cherishes. God multiplies their gifts beyond measure.

True Christian generosity is an act of obedience. As we behave generously, we find that blessings will follow, and we’ll see God’s faithfulness in meeting needs through us while supplying our own need. Our generosity flows out of our faith in God and our gratitude for what he has done for us.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Pastor Dennis