We Are A Generous Church
Pastor Doug Heisel – August 9, 2026
2 Corinthians 8:1-6 – Now, friends, I want to report on the surprising and generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia. Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
I was there and saw it for myself. They gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives.
So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Why We Love Generosity
1. GOD operates in generosity towards us.
Titus 3:4-7 – But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
2. ANYONE can be generous.
…their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem.
3. Generosity GROWS me, as I INCREASE it.
Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Proverbs 11:24-26 – The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those
who help others are helped.
Four Levels of Givers
• GENEROUS Givers: People who tithe and also give over-and-above 10%.
• TITHE Givers: People who give based on a percentage of their income — a full tithe* being 10%.
• CONSISTENT Givers: People who plan their giving based on a predetermined amount or system.
• SPONTANEOUS Givers: People who give when moved to do so.
* Malachi 3:10 – Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
I Timothy 6:19 – …so that they may take hold of life that is truly life.
4. The IMPACT generosity makes, is something we don’t want to miss out on.
2 Corinthians 9:12 – 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.
2 Corinthians 9:8 – And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
People who want to excel in generosity STEP UP from where they are, with what they HAVE, believing for MORE, so that MORE people can be filled up with new life in Jesus Christ.
Life Group Discussion & Questions
BREAKING THE ICE: Generosity and gratitude are also words that go together. Take time and share some things you are grateful for.
DIGGING IN: Read 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and Malachi 3:6-12. Both stories involve God’s thoughts about money and giving.
1. Paul uses the word “excel”, where God, through the prophet Malachi, uses the words “test me.” Both are challenges to trust God with giving. How or where have you been challenged in the past or the present regarding honoring God with giving?
2. What Paul is describing may fall more into the category of an offering, while Malachi hits both tithes and offerings. A tithe is 10%, whereas an offering is beyond that. Read 2 Corinthians 9:12, and look again at Malachi 3:10-12. List some positive outcomes of leaning into generosity listed in these two passages.
3. In Malachi, the “storehouse” was part of the local temple or synagogue. It’s where the people gathered for worship and the teaching of the Word. In the New Testament, that became a local church. Take some time and dream about what spiritual breakthroughs a local church like New Life could experience if more people trusted God and excelled in giving.
BRINGING IT HOME: If you have not yet done so, participate by filling out a Generosity Card and give to our Miracle Offering. Then, go online and turn that into action. Even better, go online and set up a consistent generosity plan at newlifeinfo.com/give.