“practicing generosity” times are tough but christians are still generous

“Practicing Generosity”

Times are tough but Christians are still generous.

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I’m the church’s treasurer!I’m the church’s treasurer!

2 Corinthians 8 – from “The Message”

1-4 Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poorthough desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—afford!—pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor Christians.

5-7 This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That's what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you're articulate, you're insightful, you're passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too.

8-9 I'm not trying to order you around against your I'm not trying to order you around against your will.will. But by bringing in the Macedonians' enthusiasm as a stimulus to your love, I am hoping I am hoping to bring the best out of you.to bring the best out of you. You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.

10-14 So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can'tcan, not what you can't.. The heart regulates the hands. This isn't so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. This isn't so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even.deficit. In the end you come out even.

2 Corinthians 9

6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. giving.

8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.

12-15 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyoneeveryone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God

for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!   

These churches could represent three kinds of people:

• Deeply affected

• Somewhat affected

• Slightly affected

No doubt,many more people are

hurting in ways we hadn’t seen in years.

You know a few of them.

Back to Paul and the Corinthians

• “I am hoping to bring the best out I am hoping to bring the best out of you.”of you.”

• ““Once the commitment is clear, Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you do what you can, not what you can'tyou can't.”.”

Back to Paul and the Corinthians

• ““This isn't so others can take it easy This isn't so others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you're while you sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out deficit. In the end you come out even.”even.”

Back to Paul and the Corinthians

• ““I want each of you to take plenty of time to think I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”delights in the giving.”

• Or the more familiar wording: “Each one should give what he or she has decided in their hearts to give; not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves the cheerful giver.”

What does generosity looks like?

•Gives out of faith, not fear

•Does not give in a reactionary way but after serious thought, prayer and planning.

•Makes sure commitment to give is realistic and can sustained over the long haul

•Gives of time, talent and treasure

•It’s like an ever flowing stream that pours out more as you draw from it

It does not look like going

BROKE!

What can we do?• BE TRUTHFUL!!! – Don’t try to

talk people out of what they’re observing and experiencing.

• DO NOT view economic adversity as God’s punishment.

What can we do?

• Offer leadership – people will be looking for sensitivity, but also resolve, determination and certainty.

What can we do?

• Create, offer, look for more ways for people to volunteer their time and talents

What can we do?

• Prepare a good communications program based on the impact your church has in the life of its members and the greater Kingdom of God

What can we do?• Encourage people to follow Paul’s advise:

“I want each of you to take plenty of time I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give.”mind what you will give.” and,

• ““Once the commitment is clear, you do Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can'twhat you can, not what you can't.”.”

What can we do?• Back to Paul’s words; “This isn't so This isn't so

others can take it easy while you others can take it easy while you sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to sweat it out. No, you're shoulder to shoulder with them all the way, your shoulder with them all the way, your surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching their deficit, their surplus matching your deficit. In the surplus matching your deficit. In the end you come out even.end you come out even.””

What can we do?

• If it’s at all possible, INCREASE WHAT YOU ARE GIVING TO MISSION/BENEVOLANCES.

12-15 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God.thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod This relief offering is a prod to live at your very bestto live at your very best, showing your gratitude to , showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone.brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!  

What can we do?• Whenever you give, GIVE WITH

JOY• Whatever you give, GIVE IT

WITH JOY• ““God loves it when the giver God loves it when the giver

delights in the giving.” delights in the giving.”

TEETHING

TITHING!

 24 The LORD bless you        and keep you;

 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

 26 the LORD turn his face toward you        and give you peace." '

Rev. Ana L. LugoCampaign Consultant

Church Financial Campaign ServiceGeneral Assembly CouncilPresbyterian Church (USA)

(904) 219-2769 Cell(904) 739-3185 Fax

ana_l_lugo@msn.comana.lugo@pcusa.orgwww.pcusa.org/cfcs