The Cycle of Generosity

Pericope: 2 Cor 9: 6-11 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Sermon Text: 2 Cor 9: 6 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Sermon Title: 2020 Vision for Living Pt 5 The Cycle of Generosity  

Eccl 11: 1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Isaiah said God’s will not go out and return void.  Isaiah 55:11 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;  it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Genesis 3:19 19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Cycle 1:  The cycle of generosity is permanent. Gen 8: 22 22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

Cycle 2: The cycle of generosity is perpetual. Gal 6: 7-8 CEV 7 You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. 8 If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life.

Cycle 3: The cycle of generosity is personal and determined.

2 Cor 9: 6 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Cycle 4: The cycle of generosity produces first fruit.

(a). Gen 4: 3 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground,

(b). Lev 23: 10-11 10 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, 11 and he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.

(c). Ezekiel 44: 3030 And the first of all the firstfruits of all kinds, and every offering of all kinds from all your offerings, shall belong to the priests [the church]. You shall also give to the priests [the church] the first of your dough, that a blessing may rest on your house.

(d). Romans 11: 16 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Cycle 5: The cycle of generosity empowers your witness.

Proverbs 28: 27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want…

Prov 19; 17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Deuteronomy 15:7 7 “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother,

Cycle 6: The cycle of generosity produces more than enough.

2 Chronicles 31:10 10…, “Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left, for the Lord has blessed his people, so that we have this large amount left.”

Cycle 7: The cycle of generosity pleases God and save souls.

2 Cor 9: 7c for God loves a cheerful giver

Life Application:

1. Start being generous today by giving First Fruit

2. Join a Lifegroup to learn how to budget your provision for your 2020 vision.

3. Make generosity a life style with your time, your talent, and your treasure