Generous People

The Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” 12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” 15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. I Kings 17

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. Proverbs 11:24 MSG

1. Generous People Are Happy.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NLT

Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! Proverbs 21:26 NLT

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. Then you will And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. II Cor 9

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. II Cor 9

1. Generous People Are Compassionate.

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Proverbs 29:7

If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13

III. Generous People Are Blessed.

Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9 NLT

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. Proverbs 28:27 NLT

1. Generous People Are Rewarded.

If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17 NLT

 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.” Revelation 22:12 NLT

Apodidimi

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. II Cor 5:10

Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. I Peter 4