Titus 3:14 Our people must learn to do good deeds to meet necessary demands [whatever the occasion may require] so that they will not be unproductive.

Imagine if the hearts of Christians around the world were recaptured by the self-giving example of Christ’s love being poured out for us on the cross? Now imagine if your heart was recaptured by God’s ultimate example of generosity. What might that kind of radical Christian giving look like in your life? How might your motivations and actions change? How much more effectively might you serve those in your sphere of influence?

God’s priority is his church, not his resources. God gave everything for us, and when we give ourselves fully to him we become a more vivid reflection of his overwhelming abundance. God calls us to adjust our priorities and steward his resources for his ultimate purposes.

Today’s scripture is provided to encourage you to delve into the Biblical message of generosity. Here, we discover the good news that God has not only made us to be recipients of his grace but has also invited us to participate in the movement of his divine generosity.

II Corinthians 9:8- And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.

Radical Generosity: Embracing Christ’s Example. Paul’s New Testament writings mention an offering collected from the Macedonian churches that was to be given to the struggling Christian church in Jerusalem. Many papers have been written on the subject, with several points of view. This offering wasn’t just about the money, although Jerusalem was in great financial need. This offering was intended to unify the early church. The greatest threat to these early congregations was the divisiveness caused by the Judaizers, who insisted the Old Covenant Law needed to be kept. Paul understood that what people did with their money changed their hearts and lives. The Jerusalem Christians needed to “receive,” and the Macedonian Christians needed to give. The offering that Paul collected is discussed in today’s passage.

This money was intended to benefit and bless everyone, financially and spiritually. Jesus was preaching his Sermon on the Mount when he said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21). Paul understood what Jesus meant by those words and followed the Lord’s wisdom in his own ministry.

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24–25).