THE POWER OF GRATITUDE: BELIEVE GENEROUSLY

We come to the end of our sermon series The Power of Gratitude with the sermon Believe Generously.  Difficult times always breed a loss of generosity.  Stress, uncertainty, and fear cause us to cling to our material things and trust that our resources will protect us.  If we believe that we are threatened by circumstances, it is normal and natural to seek self-protection.  However, if we truly believed that life is a gift from God and God holds us in his hands, would this alter our sense of generosity?  We have the testimony of many generations of believers throughout scripture that say with one voice: “God is faithful and trustworthy!” Yet, as we go through our lives, we struggle to believe, especially in difficult times.  This week, we turn 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. The Corinthians are like us, they were struggling to believe that God would supply their needs.  They had committed to help with an offering, but were beginning to waiver on their promise.   Paul shares with them that the power of a generous life is to be found in believing generously in what God has done for us!  As you come to worship, we want you to be renewed in the joy of what God has done for you because it will lead you to greater joy, praise, and thanksgiving!  May you find the joy of God’s grace as you read 2 Corinthians 9: 6-16:  ⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ 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. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹ As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” ¹⁰ Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹ You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. ¹² This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³ Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (NIV)