FIRST FRUITS                                                                                                       

GENEROUS LIFE

2 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.    NIV

THE MARKS OF A GENEROUS LIFE

Luke 10:30-37    In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"  37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."   NIV

LOVE IS WILLING TO LOOK BEYOND ITSELF.    Luke 10:33   “he took pity on him”  - 

TRUE GENEROSITY IS A HEART ISSUE

LOVE IS WILLING TO INVEST TIME IN OTHERS.    Luke 10:34   “He went to him”  

INVESTING TIME IS ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS ACTS THAT YOU CAN DO – WHAT WOULD LIFE LOOK LIKE IF WE INVESTED INTO THE LIVES OF OTHERS – 

LOVE IS WILLING TO USE IT ABILITIES AND RESOURCES.    Luke 10:34   “bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine” 

MANY SAY IF I JUST HAD IT THEN I WOULD GIVE - START GIVING FROM THE PLACE THAT YOU ARE

THE BENEFITS OF A GENEROUS LIFE

2 Corinthians 9:6-12    Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, 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 in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:  "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 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.  12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.     NIV

1.  THE FAVOR OF GOD.    Psalm 5:12   For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.     NIV

2.  REAL PROSPERITY.    Proverbs 11:25   The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.      MESSAGE

3.  A LEGACY OF IMPACT.     Psalm 37:25-26   I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.  26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.      NIV

4.  TREASURE IN HEAVEN.    1 Timothy 6:18-19   Instruct them to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. 19 If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.     Amplified