7 Motivational Gifts of Rom 12: #5 – The Gift that keeps Giving Generosity without complexity

These people ‘live to give’ They see their finance blessings as something to share. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Romans  12:3-8 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. (4) For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (5) so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (6) We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; (7) if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; (8) if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. OT examples: -Abraham- Genesis 12:1-3 NIV The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. (2) “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. (3) I will bless those who bless you,and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 14:17-20 NIV After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). (18) Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, (19) and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. (20) And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Moses had to stop the giving: Exodus 36:2-7 NIV Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. (3) They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. (4) So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing (5) and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.” (6) Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, (7) because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. NT examples: -Jesus- John 3:16 NIV For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Luke 23:34 NIV Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Acts 20:35 NIV ...remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Luke 6:38 NIV Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 NIV And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. (2) In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. NT examples: -Paul- 2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.