COST OF GENEROSITY (4 OF 4)
by Steve Jones
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24
This content is part of a series.
Title: Cost of Generosity (4 of 4)
Series: Happily Generous
Author: Steve Jones
Text: II Corinthians 8
C.I. There is a cost to happy generosity.
1) GENEROSITY COSTS.
2) GENEROSITY COSTS LESS...than the alternative.
3) GENEROSITY COSTS NOTHING...compared to the cost to Jesus.
INTRODUCTION: I was dating a girl in college. And I would bring her flowers on a regular basis. Like every week. Especially roses. And roses are EXPENSIVE. So, she was loving it. "Steve you really care. Steve you are SO generous." UNTIL she found out I had a part-time job at the funeral home. A lot of times, the family just asked the funeral home to dispose of the floral arrangements. So, I would regift the flowers to my girlfriend. When she found out, I learned two things. First, flowers that did service at a funeral lose some of their romantic aura. Secondly, I can't claim to be generous if the gift didn't COST me anything. At least that's the way SHE looked at it. We're wrapping up our "HappilyGenerous" sermon series today. Our final lesson is on the cost of Happy Generosity.
I. HAPPY GENEROSITY COSTS
Consider the case of the Macedonians. Paul unpacks their generous deeds in two encouraging chapters written to the Corinthian Christians. He describes the situation in Macedonia this way: "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 poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could - far more than they could afford! Pleading for the privilege of helping in the relief of poor Christians"
II Cor.8:2-4
Darren Key works at Christian Financial Resources along with Mike Kocolowski. Darren writes: "In the first church capital campaign I was a part of, I met a single mother with three kids. She wanted to ...
Series: Happily Generous
Author: Steve Jones
Text: II Corinthians 8
C.I. There is a cost to happy generosity.
1) GENEROSITY COSTS.
2) GENEROSITY COSTS LESS...than the alternative.
3) GENEROSITY COSTS NOTHING...compared to the cost to Jesus.
INTRODUCTION: I was dating a girl in college. And I would bring her flowers on a regular basis. Like every week. Especially roses. And roses are EXPENSIVE. So, she was loving it. "Steve you really care. Steve you are SO generous." UNTIL she found out I had a part-time job at the funeral home. A lot of times, the family just asked the funeral home to dispose of the floral arrangements. So, I would regift the flowers to my girlfriend. When she found out, I learned two things. First, flowers that did service at a funeral lose some of their romantic aura. Secondly, I can't claim to be generous if the gift didn't COST me anything. At least that's the way SHE looked at it. We're wrapping up our "HappilyGenerous" sermon series today. Our final lesson is on the cost of Happy Generosity.
I. HAPPY GENEROSITY COSTS
Consider the case of the Macedonians. Paul unpacks their generous deeds in two encouraging chapters written to the Corinthian Christians. He describes the situation in Macedonia this way: "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 poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could - far more than they could afford! Pleading for the privilege of helping in the relief of poor Christians"
II Cor.8:2-4
Darren Key works at Christian Financial Resources along with Mike Kocolowski. Darren writes: "In the first church capital campaign I was a part of, I met a single mother with three kids. She wanted to ...
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