From September to the middle of December we are following a series of sermons on Sunday Mornings on the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). In this, the Apostle Paul uses descriptive language, and encourages every follower of Jesus to show signs of all the fruit in their lives, and not just some of them. One fruit which is particularly apt for this month is the Fruit of Generosity. What does it mean to be, and how can we be, Generous in our showing of the Fruit of Generosity?
Firstly, I think we need to gain an appreciation of how God is generous towards us in our daily lives. In Churches across this land the month of October is traditionally Harvest Thanksgiving Month. On the 15th October we will celebrate our Harvest Thanksgiving Services when we once again will give thanks to God for all the many blessings and generosity He has shown to us in our daily provisions. We are reminded from one of the Harvest Hymns “All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love” (#47 Church Hymnal).
Secondly, we need to try and grasp an understanding of the Generosity of God’s Love towards us. Not only does God provide for our daily material needs, He also provides for our spiritual needs. Probably the most famous verse in the whole of the Scriptures is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. How much more generous can one get than giving His only Son for you and for me? God wants to bestow on us the greatest blessing of all – the gift of eternal life. He has made this possible by generously offering us forgiveness of our sins and opening up the gates of Heaven by allowing Jesus to die on the cross for us. What Generous Love!
When someone is generous towards us and gives us a gift we usually make some sort of a positive response. To show a Spiritual Fruit of Generosity in our lives we need to ask ourselves – “How do I respond to God’s Generosity?”
It is possible to do this in several ways. Firstly and most importantly is to say “Thank You” to God and allow Him to be Lord of our lives. That is a response that God requires – that we would accept the Lord Jesus into our lives and seek forgiveness for our sin.
Secondly, we should offer God our time and talents. When I receive the Free Will Offerings at the front of the Church I often pray these words “Accept Lord these our gifts which we present with thankful hearts, but teach us to bring to you that which you most desire – the offering of our lives in your service”.
Thirdly, as God has been generous towards us, so we should be generous towards others. As God has blessed us, we should also extend blessing by supporting the work which He does through others.
“All things come for you, and of your own we give you” 1st Chronicles 29:14.
Firstly, I think we need to gain an appreciation of how God is generous towards us in our daily lives. In Churches across this land the month of October is traditionally Harvest Thanksgiving Month. On the 15th October we will celebrate our Harvest Thanksgiving Services when we once again will give thanks to God for all the many blessings and generosity He has shown to us in our daily provisions. We are reminded from one of the Harvest Hymns “All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above; then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love” (#47 Church Hymnal).
Secondly, we need to try and grasp an understanding of the Generosity of God’s Love towards us. Not only does God provide for our daily material needs, He also provides for our spiritual needs. Probably the most famous verse in the whole of the Scriptures is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. How much more generous can one get than giving His only Son for you and for me? God wants to bestow on us the greatest blessing of all – the gift of eternal life. He has made this possible by generously offering us forgiveness of our sins and opening up the gates of Heaven by allowing Jesus to die on the cross for us. What Generous Love!
When someone is generous towards us and gives us a gift we usually make some sort of a positive response. To show a Spiritual Fruit of Generosity in our lives we need to ask ourselves – “How do I respond to God’s Generosity?”
It is possible to do this in several ways. Firstly and most importantly is to say “Thank You” to God and allow Him to be Lord of our lives. That is a response that God requires – that we would accept the Lord Jesus into our lives and seek forgiveness for our sin.
Secondly, we should offer God our time and talents. When I receive the Free Will Offerings at the front of the Church I often pray these words “Accept Lord these our gifts which we present with thankful hearts, but teach us to bring to you that which you most desire – the offering of our lives in your service”.
Thirdly, as God has been generous towards us, so we should be generous towards others. As God has blessed us, we should also extend blessing by supporting the work which He does through others.
“All things come for you, and of your own we give you” 1st Chronicles 29:14.
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