Generosity

Series: Resurrection Living

Readings: Mark 12 v 41-44, Psalm 65

Generosity

Sermon date: 15th May 2022

Icebreaker

Take some time thinking about a time when you were the beneficiary of an act of generosity which had a particularly memorable impact on you. It could be the giving of things, time, love or anything really. But pick something vivid and memorable where you can still almost live the experience.

·         Who was the giver (recognising the need to be discrete!)

·         What was your situation and how did they help?

·         How did the gift make you feel? What do you remember most about the experience?

 Try and draw out the many blessings that giving brings about aside from the obvious impact of a need being met such as feeling loved, significant, blessed, inspired to help others etc

Context

We are currently in the middle of a series called Resurrection Living where we are reflecting on how we can live in a way which actively acknowledges Jesus’ resurrection in our lives. Today’s study goes to the heart of this – we serve a generous God and to be like him we too are led to lives of generosity.

In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle suggested that “generosity involves private individuals giving moderately”.

Qn: What do you think of Aristotle’s definition of generosity?

Read Psalm 65

Ask someone in the group to read the psalm as an act of worship at the start of the study. Read it slowly and it maybe helpful for them to have time to read the passage beforehand.

Qn: What strikes you about the character of God’s generosity?

·         Generous in forgiving our transgressions (v3)

·         Provides an abundance of good things (v4)

·         Provides for our needs through the beauty of creation (v 9-13)

·         His provision is abundant and open–hearted/handed (v11)

 Qn: What effect do you think reflecting on God’s generosity has on the psalmist?

Blessed, thankful, awestruck, secure know God has his back

Qn: How does it shape our view of what generosity means?

 Read Mark 12 v 41-44

There would have been various collection boxes around the temple – some where men were able to deposit their temple tax and others for freewill offerings. It is likely (for obvious reasons) that the scene today was in front of donation boxes in the court of the women. They may well have had trumpet shaped openings and you would have heard the money going in and know by the noise the weight of the coins and the number of coins being thrown in.

Qn: Encourage the group to imagine the scene. Why did the woman catch Jesus’ attention? How would Jesus have known how much she gave?

 This little peaceful cameo comes after much turbulent challenging engagement with the religious leaders (read back in chapters 11 & 12). Jesus is sitting down – maybe just gathering his thoughts and energy.

Maybe the woman contrasted with the others in looking poor. Maybe she was a solitary figure as others backed away from a poor woman who may not have been well dressed and as “clean” as other temple goers. Maybe after the clatter of coins given by others, the tinkle of two bits of small change was noticeable. But Jesus noticed – his empathy seems to be with the woman and, as always, Jesus was happy to make a take the opportunity to teach his disciples.

 Qn: What was Jesus’ main point about the woman’s gift, do you think?

 Her gift was SACRIFICIAL. She may have had only a little but she still gave out of what she had. For her, two small coins was a big sacrifice.

We don’t know about the woman’s finances but she probably looked poor. If she was a widow then her finances were most probably precarious and income unpredictable.

Qn: What can we learn from the woman’s act of giving when we consider her precarious financial situation?

Her giving was an act of FAITH. She didn’t have security but gave nonetheless, trusting in God’s provision.

Qn: How do we feel about giving as an act of faith? How might giving in faith affect our spiritual growth and relationship with Jesus?

It is difficult and very challenging! However, sometimes by holding back, we may leave an urgent need un-met while keeping our own reserves for tomorrow. It calls to mind the parable of the rich man in Luke 12 v 13-21.

Qn: Why might Jesus have felt the need  to compare her giving to that of  “others”?

Jesus introduces the disciples to PROPORTIONAL giving. Those who have much are called to give much out of their abundance. Just as in Psalm 65, God provides abundantly for us, so we are called to give sacrificially and faithfully, according to what we have.

Application

Here are some things you may want to consider thinking about in the group.

·         Consider what it means for our giving sacrificial, faithful and proportional in our modern context. It may be helpful to consider all aspects of our generosity – not just money.

·         Do guidelines like tithing help us in our financial giving? Or do they scare or limit us?

·         How can we reflect God’s generosity to us in how we are generous to others?

·         What practical things might we do in the coming days and weeks to be generous in spirit and in practice?

·         How do we feel about letting our needs be know so that people can be generous with us?

Prayer

Pray as you feel led from your discussion in the group, but here are some prayer suggestions to help you:

·         That we would each be able to see and recognise God’s abundant provision in our own lives. And that, recognising God’s generosity, we are able to reflect that in our lives.

·         For our church. Give thanks for those who give generously to the work of the church.

·         Pray too that giving would be sufficient for the work of the church to continue and thrive in the parish.

·         You may want to pray for and support one another in the things discussed in the “application” section above.

·         That we would be open to receiving and well as giving.

·         For any charities which members of the group may support.

Phil Marlow May 2022