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Posts Tagged ‘generosity’

Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Generosity

June 14th, 2022 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is a generous spirit.

The disciples of the early church were not perfect, but they were committed to Christ and made a difference in their world as they were led by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:45 points out that these first-generation followers of Christ sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

They were sensitive to the needs of those around them, and participated in the sacrifice of sharing. Acts 4:34 tells us that there were no needy persons among them. From time to time, those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”

At the heart of these actions is a generous spirit that is willing to share. Hebrews 13:16 instruct us with these words: “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Generosity is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Key Element for Thriving Relationships-Generosity

May 12th, 2022 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Generosity.

This is the quality of being kind and unselfish with our resources, and is moved by a grateful heart toward a gracious God.

Proverbs 22:9 tells us that “the generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”

Generosity is not measured in the amount of money or resources that we give, but the condition of our heart. There was a poor widow that put a small amount of money in an offering plate, but Jesus noticed what she gave, and commended her offering from a generous heart.

The Apostle Paul told a young pastor in First Timothy 6:18 to command those who are rich in this present world “to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”

Where generosity flows, people’s needs are met and the hungry are fed. The giver and receiver are both refreshed in the process.

Generosity is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Good News Focus-Cheerful Giving

May 13th, 2020 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Second Corinthians 9:7.

“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.”

The Apostle Paul was appealing for generous gifts to help other Christians in need. But he was not appealing to their sense of obligation. Rather, he was appealing to their sense of generosity to give what they wanted to give. If I am forced to give, I am giving out of duty. If I give voluntarily, I am giving out of delight.

In verse 8, he said, “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.”

It is refreshing to know when our offerings to God are building up the church and helping people in need. The Gospel inspires us to consider the needs of others, and to honor God with our wealth.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of generous and cheerful giving in the Year of Vision. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Q and A-Tithing

July 21st, 2016 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is tithing, and what does the Bible say about it?”

Tithing is introduced in the Old Testament where the Israelites were instructed to bring ten percent of their income to the Lord in offerings.

In Malachi 3, the LORD compared failure to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse as an act of robbing Him. Jesus confirmed the value of tithing in Matthew 23, verse 23, but noted that there were more important matters of the law such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus rebuked the teachers of the law for neglecting these more important matters of the law.

This is a good focus for us today, not to neglect the practice of tithing, but also to remember that there is more to following Christ than giving our ten percent.

The emphasis in the New Testament goes beyond numbers to the condition of the heart. Second Corinthians 9:7 says, “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.”

In this way, our tithes and generous gifts for the sake of God’s kingdom become fragrant offerings to God in the Year of Exploration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Lesson Of Faith-Sharing With Others

October 3rd, 2013 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – The importance of sharing with others.

This was a common practice of the early church when it formed. Acts 2 talks about the believers selling their possessions and goods, and giving to anyone as he had need. The generosity of these early believers was effective, because Acts 4:34 says that “there were no needy persons among them.”

Hebrews 13:16 encourages us to continue looking for opportunities to share our resources with others. “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

While we do not have the resources to take care of everybody’s needs, we can do something for someone. Meeting the practical needs through the sharing of our resources is one significant way of expressing God’s love to someone else.

The importance of sharing with others is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

LIFE APPLICATION TRUTH-GENEROSITY

November 21st, 2012 1 comment

JOHN SHIRK – From Second Corinthians 9:11.

“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

One of the outcomes of a life filled with thanksgiving is generosity. Our hearts are made tender toward people in need. St. Augustine once said, “Find out how much God has given you and take from it what you need; the remainder will be needed by others.”

This thought challenges us not to be wasteful with what we have been given, but to consider how we might use what we have wisely, including life’s extras. Material things are not for hoarding, but for personal enjoyment and generous giving. We find this principle in First Timothy 6, where Paul told Timothy to command the rich in this present world to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. And then, he told Timothy to command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Generosity is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com