Generosity is a response of a heart that is filled with gratitude for all God has done for believers in Christ. This response is evident in our willingness to share our time, talent, and resources with others, all to the glory of God.
2.1: “Worthy Are You”—A Vision of the Church at Work
By Harold Doryumu
Ministry Development Coordinator, Eurasia
As I considered the generosity of the church, I thought of the rich text of Scripture found in Revelation 5:9-10:
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
I once met a single mom living in a ger in Mongolia. Lung cancer has ravaged her body, she is struggling to make ends meet, and yet she is hopeful. How is this? Because members of the local church proclaimed the gospel to her, and now she can fight her sorrow and depression with the truth of Christ.
SD is a husband and father of seven children, living in the jungles of Nepal, in a critical situation without proper shelter, food, clothing, medicine, or education. A pastor from the local church met this family on the way to preach the gospel in two other villages, and now they are open to the gospel because of the care and love they have received from the church.
There is one common thread that flows through these stories, and that is the proclamation of the gospel through the local church. The church is the fountain of hope and the fulcrum of mercy through which people like this single mom and SD can find genuine hope, encouragement, and ongoing support during trials. The necessity of the local church’s influence in the community cannot be overstated. Alex DiPrima* writes that,
the church alone brings together a community of saints covenanted around the truth, accountable to one another, committed to the proclaiming of the gospel, and devoted to displaying God’s character to the world through good works.
That is the beautiful church, redeemed from every tribe, nation, and tongue, to proclaim the gospel, which in turn fuels hearts of the saints to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the broken and the downtrodden, that they may know the power of the gospel and its power to transform lives for God’s glory alone (Gal. 6:9-10). This is our God, and we are His redeemed people (Titus 2:14)!
*Alex DiPrima. Spurgeon and the Poor: How the Gospel Compels Christian Social Concern (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Reformation Heritage Books, 2023), 71.
2.2 : Where Your Treasure Is, Your Heart Will Follow
By Masi Mora Duran
Coordinator, Gifts-in-Kind
Generosity reveals itself in many ways—through our relationships, our giving, and the way we spend our time. Let’s pause to reflect on giving. When we intentionally invest what we have been entrusted with to advance God’s kingdom, we are participating in our Father’s business. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:19-21:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Acts of generosity open the door for others to encounter Christ. How does this happen? Meeting a need creates space for hope. It happens when we choose to pause in the midst of our daily routines and look beyond ourselves to serve someone else. Every act of devotion expressed through generosity becomes an opportunity for others to experience the love of Christ.
The impact is always two-fold: as you bless others, you too will be blessed and enriched. Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 19:17:
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
The work of ministry calls us to live with an outward focus. To call myself a believer—a true follower of Christ—means I am compelled to embody compassion and generosity, for Christ Himself modeled these virtues perfectly. My motivation is not rooted in who I am or who I aspire to be, but in who Jesus is in my life and what He has done for me. My desire is that others would share that same hope.
So, I challenge you today: when was the last time you stepped in to make a difference in someone else’s life? Take a moment to reflect on where your heart truly stands in the matter of generosity.
