Sunday, 11/2/2025

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU AND YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

THE GRACE OF GOODNESS/GENEROSITY

Galatians 5:22–25 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

“Goodness” is a rare word found only four times in the New Testament (and only in Paul). 

It expresses the idea of benevolence and generosity toward someone else. 

Luke 12:48 “To whom much is given, much will be required.”  

We are held responsible for what we have.

We believe that if we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, we benefit others by sharing those blessings.  It is God’s way of walking in the Holy Spirit . 

Generosity includes how we view and treat others. It includes mercy, justice, humility, and meekness as well.

Generosity is willing to give and share unsparingly; showing a readiness to give more (especially money) than is expected or needed.

Our God is a lavish, overflowing, generous, bountiful, God who loves to give good gifts to his children. 

When we look at his creation, we can catch a glimpse of God’s overflowing, extravagant generous nature. 

1 Timothy 6:17 “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.” 

Everything that we enjoy are gifts from God.

James 1:17   “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” 

Generosity can ease the burden of long-suffering 

Generosity overcomes the sin of greed. 

Proverbs 11:25 “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Philippians 2:6-11 says; “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷  Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, ⁸  he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. ⁹  Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, ¹⁰  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

If we are truly generous, we will not only give our money to things, but we will be deeply engaged in the seeking to be generous to others starting at home. 

Jesus is the original Christmas gift. 

The word miser comes from the same root word as miserable. Takers are miserable. 

Generosity makes us more like God. Psalm 37:21 “The godly are generous givers”. 

Generosity is a cure for selfishness. Proverbs 1:18-19 “But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life”. 

Every time you give, your heart grows bigger, you grow spiritually, and you break the grip of materialism in your life.

Generosity deepens relationships. Matthew 6:21 (NKJV) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

Generosity stretches our faith. 2 Corinthians 9:13 “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.” 

Faith is like a muscle. When you use it, faith grows.  

The biggest way God tests our faith is through our finances. 

Generosity blesses us back. Luke 6:38  “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” 

Generosity is an investment for eternity. Luke 16:9  ^“Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” 

2 Corinthians 9:10–11 ^“For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. ¹¹ Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.”