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. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 2 Corinthians 9:10-14
God is so generous that He promises that if we have willing hearts, we can be like Him. Jesus’ birth was the greatest act of generosity ever. Angels rejoiced even though this great gift, to be fully complete, had to result in Jesus’s shameful death. Soil, seeds, sun and rain miraculously work to produce crops that multiply many times what’s planted. Uncountable stars, enormous herds of animals, vast forests…God’s lavish generosity in creation is immeasurable. Even when we have experienced God’s generosity we can be cautious, doubtful and hesitant in our giving. We may give a tenth of what we earn, but not really trust it will be well used. Nevertheless, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians that our generosity can mimic God’s! If we can just suspend disbelief and let go of some of “our” resources, God can do great things through us.
Let’s take this out of the abstract! I’m so excited about the generosity shown through the food bank at South Fellowship and how it has overflowed into my life and the lives of my co-workers. The food bank volunteers are so generous with their giving. There’s no vetting process to make sure that shoppers are “really” in need. There’s no way of knowing that the donations will be used and not wasted. This kind of generosity can only be accomplished through a willingness to serve, pray and belief that God will take an offering and make it a blessing.
I’ve been helped by the food bank, but volunteering in it would be difficult. However, I’ve realized that the food bank could extend its ministry to my workplace. I work as a school bus driver in Boulder and I can bring items leftover after the shoppers have taken what they want on Sundays to share at work. Here’s one example: A large ham from the food bank had gotten passed over by others, so I took it even though it was too much for me. I brought a ham sandwich to work one day and a colleague said, “I haven’t had ham in a long while! I need to get some”. Another chimed in “That reminds me of split pea soup! So yummy! ” I brought both of them chunks of ham the next day Courtesy of South Fellowship Church food bank! One day I brought in bread, cheese, and made a spread from some strawberries. The bus drivers loved that! A delicious snack brings extra warmth and coziness to our break room, and that good feeling will extend to the children we work with. One co-worker said “Thank you! You’re such a good person to get this from your church and bring it in.” All I could say was, “I’m not a particularly good person, but I do have access!” Isn’t that what generosity is about? I have access to plenty and can share freely. What do you have access to? How do you experience the joy of generosity?
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
by Sherry Sommer
