Philippians 4: 10-20; 2 Cor. 8: 1-15

Recurrent Thought

A Christ-devoted Follower is marked by Generosity. A generous giving of time, money and resources to the church and to others speaks a lot about our faith and attitude towards God and our worship of Him

As Paul wraps up the Letter, he returns to the theme he began with, that of Partnership (Ch. 1: 5). He reminds them that they had been a constant joy to him by the way they partnered with him in the Gospel. He expresses gratitude for them in the way they gave to the work of the God.  The Philippians demonstrate the Grace of Giving in very practical ways. Generosity is a capacity of willingness and consistent acts of unselfish giving. Through this passage, we want to look at four aspects of Generosity.

1. Generosity is a Lifestyle (4: 15, 18)

   • Generosity is a lifestyle that grows through repetition; it is a repetitive lifestyle
   • You are not regarded generous by a one-time gift to those deserving. Generosity is a permanent mindset and a consistent lifestyle. 
   • Generosity is not dependent on what I have before giving. See, they gave out of their extreme poverty, giving more than they could give (2 Cor. 8:2).
   • Generosity is not necessary measured by what is given, but by the very act, first and foremost.
   • A Generous person always looks for opportunities to give (4:10). 
   •  a generous person still breaks the ranks in giving (Ch. 4:15). It does not say, “I will do so when others do it.” But it says I must go forward though alone”
2. Generosity is a Growing Grace (4:17; 2 Cor. 8:7)
   • The Grace of Giving grows consistently with the Faith Actions done by a giver
   • Giving is seen in its growth by seeing its fruit (benefits) 
   • Just as we grow in other Graces such as in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love we also can and must grow in our Giving (2 Cor. 8:7)
   • Continued acts of Generosity increases (grows) the interest in the bank. One major way to lay up treasure in Heaven is to give it away while on Earth. We save what we give.
   • When you consistently fail to give, you are limiting the interest that should accrue to your account.
   • Giving now, is an investment that increases my interest in heavens bank. Your giving is always recorded in Heaven. Matthew 10:42, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
   • A Christ-devoted follower is marked by growth in their generosity. Although it may not be in the value of what is given but the repetition of giving must be evident.
   • Giving is the Fruit of One’s Faith and an indicator of maturing in Christ. You are not a maturing believer unless you’re generous.
   • Giving is growing to be Christ like. The most Christ-like thing you can do is give, because Jesus was a giver. He was generous and sacrificial. When you give, you point to Christ who gave his Life.
   • A Greedy Christian is a contradiction of terms; for a Christian is expected to be generous for they emulate Jesus Christ, their master. A greedy Christian is a bad example. 
   • When you consistently fail to be generous, you reveal that you are failing to grow and excel in this Grace of Giving. 
3. Generosity is Driven by a Mindset of Offering to the Lord (Ch. 4:18)
   • Generosity is based on an attitude that Giving is first and foremost an Offering to the Lord, before it’s a help to those in need (2 Cor. 8:5)
   • Therefore the Giver ensures that there is always an offering to the Lord although they may not have enough to give.
   • The generous realizes that quality giving, is a fragrant offering to the Lord and is a sweet savor that pleases Him. 
   • There are times when the Generosity is regarded as a sacrifice because it demands you to give despite your state (2 Cor.  8: 2)
   • It is very difficult to be godly in this culture until your financial giving becomes intentionally sacrificial. You cannot be Christ-like without giving to His purposes through His church
   • You discharge a spiritual function as You give; Your giving to the Lord is sanctified— for “the altar sanctifies the gift” (Mathew 23:19)
   • Giving to the cause of Christ is worship, acceptable and well-pleasing to God (4:18) 
4. Generosity always receives a Reward (Ch. 4:19)   
   • Giving grants God opportunity to fulfill my every need 
   • Giving opens an account in the Bank of Heaven, whose holdings are based on God's riches. 
   • What we give to the work of Christ we shall receive back with far more than the worth of our offerings  
   • Those who give (sow) are promised blessings in return (Ch. 4:19)
   • There are earthly blessings now for giving generously now. And there are also awesome heavenly rewards for giving generously now.
   • According to Mark 10:29-30: the fruits giving include a good conscience, enriched fellowship with believers, increased joy and love (both imparted and received),  physical blessing (of course with Persecution) and ability to reflect God’s glory in Heaven, 
   • Rewards are not necessary in the value, quality and nature of the giving; for it comes out of the glorious riches of Christ which are both ot fully known and unquantifiable by human beings.
   • Rewards come by the way God meets every need of the generous ones.                                                            

Conclusion

Generosity is a grace we all must grow in. Generosity is a mark of being Christ like; You can’t be Christ-like unless you are marked by generosity