Generosity by Institute in Basic Life Principles

Generosity INTRODUCTION

hen planting a garden, the more seeds you

plant, the more you will harvest. The same is true of God’s kingdom. The more “seeds” of time, talent, and treasure you “sow” to the Lord’s work, the greater the harvest you can expect for His kingdom. Instead of giving only a tithe (10%) to the church, give an extra offering to a missionary speaking one Sunday. Don’t just passively watch your younger siblings when your parents go out; do a special activity they enjoy to strengthen your relationships. Instead of giving used toys or clothing to a family in need, save to buy them a new item of good quality. Sow bountifully! “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7). The Most Bountiful Offering

GENEROSITY Realizing that all I have belongs to God and using it for His purposes 1

Generosity Overview What Is Generosity? Read aloud, study, and discuss what generosity means and how it applies to life. what is “his” and to decide when and how it is used.

that all I have belongs to God and using it for His

He doesn’t think to share with others or to ask, “How

purposes.” Not only does He have a special plan for your life, but He

person claims ownership that is not really his as he

also has distinct

exclaims, “That's mine!” One who holds fast to what

purposes for the

is his may justify his behavior as thriftiness, but a

possessions He

thrifty person saves to give or spend wisely when

has given to you.

legitimate needs arise.

Your belongings, talents, abilities, and time have all Just as God multiplies the farmer’s

been created and

seeds to become a great harvest, so

given to you by God.

God will multiply the “seeds” we sow for His kingdom.

He has chosen you to be His steward,

one who attentively cares for and wisely uses the gifts entrusted to you. As a steward, you will be held accountable to develop your talents, invest your time, and utilize your possessions to fulfill God’s purposes. His purposes not only include providing for your needs through food, clothing, and shelter, but also reaching beyond to provide for others through you! God desires to actively involve you in His plan to meet others’ needs, spread His message of redemption, and edify the Body of Christ.

does God want me to use this item?” Instead, a stingy

Generosity is an overflow of the love that God has bestowed on you. Jesus loved you first and demonstrated His love by giving. He offered Himself to meet the greatest need that you have: salvation from sin and death. A generous person is content to have basic needs met so that the money saved can be used for God’s purposes. Such giving expects nothing in return but is most rewarded when done in secret. You don’t need to have a lot of money to be generous. For

Selfishly clinging to our resources keeps us from enjoying the blessing of giving.

example, you may offer

The opposite of generosity is stinginess. A stingy

your time and energy to do chores for the widow in

person is unwilling to give of himself or his posses-

your neighborhood. Be sensitive to the needs in your

sions to meet the needs of others. Instead, he clings

family, your church, and your community, and the

tightly to what he has in order to fulfill his own

Lord will direct you as you invest the resources you

selfish desires. He does not fully grasp that God has

have for His pleasure. Remember Jesus’ words: “. . . It

and will provide for his needs, so he seeks to control

is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

he operational definition of generosity is “realizing

Generosity in Scripture Read aloud and discuss each verse, question, and concept.

THE CHARACTER OF GOD We see examples of generosity in God’s character in the following ways: •

God is the One Who gives the power to gain any wealth and does so to establish His covenant with His people. (See Deuteronomy 8:18.)

•

God generously satisfies every living thing from His abundant supply. (See Psalms 36:7–8; 145:16.)

•

God bestows good gifts to His children, including the gift of the Holy Spirit upon salvation. (See Luke 11:13; James 1:17.)

•

Jesus offers rest to the laboring soul and trades His light load in exchange for our heavy burdens. (See Matthew 11:28–30.)

•

Jesus gave sight to the blind and healing to many others with infirmities. (See Luke 7:21.)

•

The Holy Spirit gives believers power to be Christ’s witnesses to all the world. (See Acts 1:8.)

•

The Holy Spirit bestows to every believer unique gifts with different purposes for ministering to others. (See I Corinthians 12:4–11.)

GENEROSITY IN MY LIFE Now let’s examine some ways God wants us to live out generosity daily. •

When I give to help the poor, what does God promise to do? (See Psalm 41:1; Acts 20:35.)

•

Having received freely from others, what should my response be? (See Matthew 10:8.)

•

From where did all my possessions come? (See I Chronicles 29:14–16.)

•

In light of God’s great grace toward me, in what ways may I minister grace to others? (See I Peter 4:8–10.)

•

What happens to people who greedily try to get rich quick? (See Proverbs 28:22.)

•

Why is it impossible to serve both God and wealth (mammon)? (See Matthew 6:24.)

•

What do I need to guard against when God entrusts riches to me? (See I Timothy 6:17.)

GENEROSITY KEY VERSE “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” II CORINTHIANS 9:6

roverbs 2:1–6 says, “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” What a privilege to study the rich truths of God’s Word, hide them in your heart, and apply them to daily life! These truths are priceless treasures, far above the value and beauty of rubies and diamonds. As you dig deeper into God’s Word, see Who He is, and allow Him to work in you, your life will be a radiant expression of His love. He will be glorified as His character is seen in you.

Bible Story THE MOST BOUNTIFUL OFFERING

s Jesus was teaching one day, He warned His

like trumpets. They were the offering boxes, each

hearers to beware of the scribes, scholars of the

labeled with its unique purpose. Nine boxes were for

Law. The scribes loved the attention gained by wearing

the required temple sacrifices as outlined in the Law,

long robes, and they often chose the best seats in the

and the other four boxes were for voluntary offerings.

synagogues. They prayed long prayers so others would

People would drop coins into these funnels. As the

view them as spiritually elite. Through deceptive

coins fell into the metal funnels, they generated loud

schemes, these scribes obtained monetary gifts from

clinking noises, alerting everyone nearby of the gift

the weak and vulnerable, such as widows. Jesus

that was given. As people gave their offerings that day,

proclaimed that these scribes would receive greater

which giver would Jesus point out to His disciples?

condemnation. Finishing His teaching, Jesus sat down

Why would He take note of this person? What would

in the outer court of the temple. In this court were

He say about that particular offering? Of those who

thirteen wooden boxes with bronze funnels shaped

gave offerings that day, who gave the most bountifully?

BIBLE STORY QUESTIONS Read Mark 12:41–44 together and discuss the following questions:

Is God aware of what you have and what you give to Him? What is one way God expects you to give to His purposes? (See Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:8–10.) 2. Who put a lot of money into the treasury? (See Mark 12:41.) What motives for giving did Jesus warn against? (See Matthew 6:2.) What do you do in order to be praised by others? What is the right motive for giving? (See Philippians 2:3–4.) 3. Who else gave an offering that day? Was this person rich or poor? (See Mark 12:42.) How can you sow bountifully even though you may only have little to give? (See Deuteronomy 15:11.) 4. How much did the widow give as her offering? (See Mark 12:42.)

How do you decide when and how much to give for your offering? (See I Corinthians 16:1–2.) 5. What did Jesus point out to His disciples about the widow’s gift? Who had given more than her? (See Mark 12:43.) Do you give bountifully or sparingly? What attitude does God love in a giver? (See II Corinthians 9:6–7.) 6. How much did the widow have after giving her offering? (See Mark 12:44.) What could you do without so you can give more to God’s work? With what does He tell us to be content? (See I Timothy 6:8.) 7. Who gave a greater percentage of what they had—the widow or the others? (See Mark 12:44.) What did Christ give to purchase salvation for you? (See I Peter 1:18–19.) How can you daily offer yourself to Him as a “living sacrifice”? (See Romans 12:1–2.)

1. What did Jesus observe as He sat near the treasury in the temple court? (See Mark 12:41.)

Memory Verse II CORINTHIANS 9:6

Play the game together to help the children commit II Corinthians 9:6 to memory. In the section “Doers of the Word,” have the children record how they will apply the verse to their lives.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

MEMORY VERSE GAME

DOERS OF THE WORD

Hot or Cold

In the blank below, write how this verse could be

Choose a child to be “It.” Have the child close his eyes while

You lead,” or “give sacrificially to missions,” or “cheer-

the rest of the children agree on a spot to hide an object, such as an eraser or a water bottle. Tell him now to open his eyes and begin to search for the hidden object. The other children are to give him hints by saying the verse softly or loudly, depending on where he is in relation to the hidden object. As he looks for the hidden object, have the other children guide him to the object by saying the verse softly when he is far away from the object (cold) and loudly

applied in your life, e.g., “purpose in my heart to give as fully offer my time and abilities to help my family.” “Dear Lord, I yield to You and am willing to apply this verse. Help me to _________________ __________________________________________ ��. I ask that You would develop generosity in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

when he is closer to the object (hot). Give different children

When the Lord gives you an opportunity to apply

the opportunity to be It until the children have quoted

this verse, write it in your journal to later recall God’s

the verse often enough that they have it memorized.

working in your life.

II CORINTHIANS 9:6

Activity CROSSWORD PUZZLE INTRODUCTION Enjoy meditating on and thinking about the words of the generosity key verse and definition as you fill in the crossword puzzle below. Italicized words fit horizontally and underlined words fit vertically. One word is already done for you.

II Corinthians 9:6

Generosity

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap

Realizing that all I have

also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall

belongs to God and using it

reap also bountifully.”

for His purposes

Permission granted to reproduce this page for educational use.

R E A P

Craft WILLING TO GIVE INTRODUCTION During this character study we are asking the Lord to develop generosity in our lives. What a privilege to respond to the work He is doing to change us into the image of His Son! Today we are going to conduct an experiment to remind us to let go of what we naturally hold back for ourselves and instead open our hands to share with others.

Supplies: •

A photocopy of the “Generous Hands” template from page 12

leaving an open hand! If you think of your belongings as the property of God which has been entrusted to you to use for His purposes, then you are more likely

•

Pencils

to share as He directs.

•

Scissors

Similar to the way the water slowly seeped into the

•

Large plate for water

paper and loosened the fingers from their selfish grip,

•

1–2 cups of water

so understanding that you are a steward of God’s

Instructions Cut out a hand from the “Generous Hands” template. On each finger, write one thing that you would rather

resources can help you replace your natural stinginess with God’s generosity. Are you willing to open your hands and share God’s resources as He leads?

keep for yourself than share or give away. Some ideas may include time, friends, toys, money, favorite seat, As children cut out and write on the paper hands, pour water about 1/2 inch deep on a plate (approximately 1–2 cups). Fold each paper finger down over the palm of the hand so that it resembles a tightly clenched fist. If you think of belongings as your possessions, you will tend to hoard them and assert your right to what you own. You may tightly clench “stuff” because you think it will bring security or happiness, or because you fear what would happen if you let it go. Gently set your paper fist on top of the water.

or snacks.

Watch what happens. The water unfolds the fingers,

The Most Bountiful Offering

“And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 12:43–44). 8

Hymn History “I Gave My Life for Thee” Sing “I Gave My Life for Thee” and read about the generosity proclaimed by the hymn writer, Frances Havergal. The story continues that her father grasped the papers

named Nikolaus Zinzendorf visited the Dusseldorf

that weren’t burned, and he encouraged his daughter

Museum. One particular painting captivated his

to keep them. Her father wrote a hymn tune for them,

attention. The painting depicted Jesus with a crown

and the piece was printed on a leaflet the following

of thorns on His head just before His crucifixion. The

year and then in the literary periodical Good Words in

caption below read, “I have done this for you; what

1860. Titled, “I Gave My Life for Thee,” today the hymn

have you done for Me?” The painting moved young

is sung to the tune written by Philip P. Bliss.

Zinzendorf to a wholehearted commitment to serve

Miss Havergal’s hymn acknowledges what Jesus

God. Count Zinzendorf became one of the most influ-

Christ gave up for us. He was the greatest example

ential leaders in the history of Christian missions.

of generosity that the world has ever known. As the

Over a hundred years later, another young Christian visited that same museum. A tired, 17-year-old Frances Havergal sat opposite that same painting.

gave His life, left all, bore all, and brings gifts for us His children. The hymn closes with a challenge: “What hast thou brought to Me?”

Quietly she gazed at

Generosity is “realizing that all I have belongs to

the dramatic paint-

God and using it for His purposes.” Among other

ing along with its

occasions, one day Miss Havergal practiced generosity

inscription. Deeply

when she heard about a need in India to teach women

moved, she began

the Bible. She packed up her valuable jewels, saving

jotting down phrases. Miss Havergal’s sister later wrote: “On January 10, 1858, Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–1879)

refrain varies with each verse, we read how Christ

only a few special ones from family and friends, and sacrificially sent them to the Church Missionary Society. She said she had never packed a box with such pleasure!

[Frances] read the

Jesus gave everything for you. What have you given to

motto, and the lines

Him and others in return for what has been given to

of her hymn flashed

you? Generosity is more than giving money. God has

upon her. She wrote them in pencil on a scrap of

given you time, talents, and energy, and He delights

paper. Reading them over [once she got home] she

when you use them for His purposes. Ask God where

thought them so poor that she tossed them on the fire,

He wants you to invest cheerfully what He has so

but they fell out untouched.”

generously entrusted to you!

Photo courtesy of www.hymntime.com/tch

n the early 1700s, a young German nobleman

Hymn Sheet Music

I Gave My Life for Thee

           

gave My life 1. I 2. My Fa - ther's house suf - fered much 3. I 4. And I have brought

             



  

for of for to

      I I I've I

thee, light, thee, thee,

      

My My More Down

   

pre - cious blood I glo - ry cir - cled than thy tongue can from My home a -

     

       



       

       

  

    

 

be, night, ny, free,

And quick - ened from the For wan - d'rings sad and To res - cue thee from My par - don and My

        

     

        

    

         

    

             

thou left thou thou

     

giv'n for aught for borne for bro't to

                       

      

  

gave, I gave My left, I left it borne, I've borne it bring, I bring rich

life all all gifts

for for for to

dead; lone; hell; love;

      

       I I I've I

shed, throne, tell, bove,

       

gave, I gave My life for thee, What hast left, I left all for thee, Hast thou it borne, I've borne it all for thee, What hast bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, What hast

      

      

   

That thou might'st ran - somed I left for earth - ly Of bit - t'rest ag - o Sal - va - tion full and

       

 

      

Philip P. Bliss (1838-1876)

thee, thee, thee, thee,

What Has What What

hast thou hast hast

thou left thou thou

giv'n aught borne bro't

for for for to

Me? Me? Me? Me?

    Me? Me? Me? Me?

              

Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)

Crossword Puzzle Answer Key

A L P B E L O N G S U E S R E A L I Z I N G P P E R E A P O R R S O W E T H O U S I N G E S N S G I G B O U N T I F U L L Y D Y Y

Recommended Resources •

2019 Biblical Character Illustrated Calendar

•

Hymns for the Family CDs (“I Gave My Life to Thee” is sung a cappella on Volume 4.)

•

The Power for True Success

•

Character Cards

•

Character Cards Memory Game

•

Character Sketches, Volumes 1–3

•

Achieving True Success

•

Men’s Manual, Volume II

•

The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

•

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

•

The Richest Christian Game

•

“The Lord, the Lad and the Lunch” (Message by Jim Schettler, available

•

“The Exciting Potential of Being

Morgan, Robert J., Then Sings My Soul, Thomas Nelson Publishers,

a Sower” (Two-part message by

Nashville, 2003, p. 141.

Ken Pierpont, available at

Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications,

embassymedia.com.)

Grand Rapids, MI, 1982, pp. 101–102.

•

“A Widow Who Became a Channel

Reynolds, William J., Companion to Baptist Hymnal, Broadman Press,

of God’s Power” (Message by

Nashville, TN, 1976, pp. 96–97, 331.

Otto Koning, available at

Smith, Jane Stuart, and Carlson, Betty, Great Christian Hymn Writers,

embassymedia.com.)

Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL, 1997, pp. 79–83.

To view these resources and many more, visit us at:

store.iblp.org

Hymn History Bibliography

at embassymedia.com.)

Generous Hands Template

Permission granted to reproduce this page.