GENEROSITY

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 11:3

LIGHT FOR NOW: In the place of giving for the believer, he must know that he is not in a business transaction with God; hence, his giving must be out of simplicity and generosity.

The word “simplicity” in our above key text (2 Corinthians 11:3) is the word generosity. There is simplicity in Christ. James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him”. The word “liberal” used by James here is the same word “simplicity”. So, God gives with simplicity. Romans 12:8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercwith cheerfulness”.

Give with simplicity. It implies giving without conditions. Giving with conditions is a business venture. When God gave, he did not expect anything from us in return. He simply gave. 2Corinthians 8:2 “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality”. The church at Macedonia where in deep poverty, yet they abounded to the riches of their liberality. That is, they gave even in their lack.
Listen to the Passion Translation and the Amplified Translation of this verse 2Corinthians 8:2 “For even during a season of severe difficulty, tremendous suffering, and extreme poverty, their super-abundant joy overflowed into an act of extravagant generosity” (TPT). “For during an ordeal of severe distress, their abundant joy and their deep poverty [together] overflowed in the wealth of their lavish generosity” (AMP). The church at Macedonia gave even in their lack, expecting nothing in return, and they did so joyfully. They gave out of a pure heart. It did not matter if they were commended or not. We give to the unthankful; we give to those who do not have enough. Glory!

INSTRUCTION: Giving is your nature; walk in it.

CONFESSION: I give not as a business venture but with simplicity and generosity, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

QUOTE: The believer gives with simplicity and generosity.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 11; EVENING: JAMES CHAPTER 1