Why We Do What We Do | We GIVE in Radical Generosity

Author Randy Alcorn in his book Money, Possessions, and Eternity. He writes:

“Too often, we assume that God has increased our income to increase our standard of living when his stated purpose is to increase our standard of giving.”

Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions, and Eternity

I love that quote. It goes right along with what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:11:

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

Money has a way of tricking us into believing that we need more “stuff” to be happy, right? Cars, clothes, computers. The Bible teaches, however, that with every bonus, raise, or promotion, we should look for more ways to give to God and others. We should see the increase as an opportunity to be more generous. 

Today, what’s your primary objective? To have a high standard of living? Or a high standard of giving? 

In 2 Corinthians 8:9, Paul discusses the effect the gospel should have on the way Christians understand wealth: 

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich.”

As we see Christ’s sacrificial love for us, that he gave up everything so that we could inherit the riches of heaven, we develop a healthy attitude toward our material possessions and become joyful and generous people. As the Spirit helps us understand the wealth we have already received in Christ, we become liberated from excessive concern over our time, talents, and treasure. We’re also motivated to invest all we have in the eternal kingdom of God. We are a people who can give with radical generosity because Christ has given us more than we deserve or could imagine.

May we be generous people, FBC! 

-Pastor Wade