Generous Living -Tim Spirk
Generous Living
Pastor Tim Spirk
Generosity is not just about money—it’s about the posture of our hearts. In Matthew 6:19–21, Jesus warns us not to be consumed with greed or materialism. He isn’t against possessions or enjoying them, but He is deeply concerned with who or what possesses our hearts. What we do with our resources reveals where our loyalty truly lies.
The greatest way to die to materialism and the love of money is to live generously—blessing others with our time, skills, and finances.
The Heart of Generous Living
Paul echoes this truth in 1 Timothy 6:17–19: “Teach those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good… always being ready to share with others.”
Generosity shifts our trust away from wealth and back onto God. It opens our hands and hearts to bless others while storing up eternal treasure.
Proverbs 11:24–25 reminds us that “the world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller” (MSG). Generosity refreshes others and refreshes us in return.
Paul’s Perspective on Generosity
The early church modeled radical generosity. Paul wrote of believers who gave “according to their ability, and beyond their ability; and they did it voluntarily” (2 Corinthians 8:3). Giving wasn’t about obligation, but about eagerness.
Paul clarified that generosity is not about comparison or pressure. “Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have” (2 Corinthians 8:12).
Generosity flows not from guilt, but from gratitude.
Characteristics of Generous Giving
2 Corinthians 9:6–15 outlines what generous giving looks like:
Thankful – Grateful for what you already have, no matter the size.
Willing – Giving from the heart, not out of duty.
Cheerful – A spirit of joy that removes reluctance and pressure.
Abundant – With plenty left over to share.
Generosity is not a transaction; it’s a relationship with the Father. He blesses us, not just so we can have more, but so we can be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2).
As Proverbs 3:9–10 reminds us: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.”
Generosity is both an act of obedience and an act of trust. When we give freely, we declare that everything we have belongs to God. We remind our hearts that He alone is our source. And in return, we get to experience the joy of seeing others refreshed, needs met, and God’s Kingdom expanded.
Living generously enlarges our world, deepens our faith, and keeps our hearts aligned with the heart of the Father.
