Generosity: the quality of being kind and generous; the quality or fact of being plentiful or large. Comes from the Latin “generositas” meaning magnanimous.

1. When you come to the word generous, what thoughts come to mind? (Be honest here: guilt, thanksgiving, pain, desire.)

2. How would you define what it means to be generous?

Any time we begin to talk about giving, there is a wide gamut of emotions that can raise up in us. We can feel guilty because we have not been generous. We can wish that we were more generous, but we just do not have the ability to be generous. We can be thankful for how generous others have been to us or be upset at the lack of generosity we have seen. Then, of course, when we talk about generosity or giving in the church, that is a whole different feeling altogether!

3. The topic of generosity or giving typically raises some deep feelings in us, why is that?

We are called to be generous people because of how generous God has been to us. We only have to look to the cross to see His generosity and if He did nothing else for us, that would be enough! However, God does not stop there. He is overwhelmingly generous to us in so many different ways: in our relationships, careers, health, and yes, in our finances too.

Paul talks about the generosity of the people from Philippi. The Philippians were not wealthy people, but they were generous. Read about what Paul has to say to them in Philippians 4:14-20, “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

4. How many other churches helped Paul and supported him in partnership?

The Philippians’ partnership with Paul was not only financial. They were consistently concerned about Paul and his ministry. He began this book by talking about the partnership that he had with this church and these people. Philippians 1:3-5 says, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

What a statement. The Philippians had partnered with Paul in the Gospel. They had supported him even in the hard times. He had commended them for how they stuck with him at the beginning of our passage. In doing so, they had become a partner in his present trouble.

5. How can generosity show a partnership with others? How does it go deeper when you share in others’ trouble or trials?

6. How can we participate in the Gospel if we are generous to those that preach and teach God’s Word?

As you consider the above questions, keep in mind what Jesus said to Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8-9, “And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.’” Matthew 6:21 adds, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

7. With the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:21 in mind and based on your generosity, where does your treasure lie?

Paul continues in Philippians 4:17-18 and speaks toward the quality of their gifts as well as how God responds to those gifts. God had multiplied their giving in Paul’s ministry and God would continue to multiply those gifts! The Philippians had not given for their own benefit, but there would be benefits to them!

There was a study done by “The Motley Fool” (a financial website) about how being generous affects your life. They came up with eight findings:

• Greater satisfaction in life
• More friends
• Stronger relationships with the people you know
• Happier with career
• A more positive outlook
• Better physical and mental health
• Satisfaction with what you have
• Higher self-esteem

8. How have you seen generosity change your life?

These sound pretty good, huh? However, this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. God sees our giving as it raises up to Him like the offerings of the Old Testament, it is “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

When we are generous, we are investing in something. Better yet, we are investing in some One. Best of all, when we give according to God’s directive, we are investing in another Kingdom. The time, talent, and treasure that we invest in God’s Kingdom is the only currency that we will truly see again, and when it returns, it returns with compounded spiritual interest.

9. How have you been blessed by being generous with your time, talents, or treasure?

We must hear Paul’s encouragement as we give. Paul knew how generous the Philippians had been. They gave up to and even beyond their means to support his ministry. No matter what, God would supply the needs of the Philippians. They would not be forsaken. In fact, He would supply their needs according to His riches in glory. This is based on His supply, not theirs. It is also not based on our supply.

As we supply the needs of others, God meets our needs too. The crazy reality of this is that in your generosity, God is fulfilling the same promise made to you in the life of another person. You become the answer to someone’s prayer!

However, there is another reality. For those that are begrudging and not generous, there is no such promise. This promise is for the generous follower of Jesus.

When we give, we remember what we have been given. It shows Who we really trust when we give.

I have always been struck by how generous people are when they are poor. I have seen many YouTube videos where people go into homeless areas of cities and give away money to help. The video follows the recipient and so many times they go and share that money with others around them that need help. You would think that those that need it would hoard it. While I am sure that happens, so often the gift is given away again.

Is that not really what we do when we give? We have been given so much, so we give. In Matthew 10:8 (NIV), Jesus says, “Freely you have received; freely give.”

 10. How can you give freely today?