“Stop giving! Keep your money in your pocket! The church doesn’t need it anymore! We’re shutting down the giving page on our website!”

Can you imagine your pastor shouting that proclamation from the pulpit? It might sound absurd, but that’s exactly what Moses said to Israel in Exodus 36 (NIV). Let's look at that and other passages and see some powerful examples of extreme genrosity.

KEY PASSAGE:

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 (NIV)

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Loneliness, worry, fear and disorientation show up in crisis. We’ve all been there. Even in the small trials, life seems out of control. Thankfully, we pray and God comforts. But we all need someone to come alongside us in times like this.

The Apostle Paul had one of those friends, Onesimus, who ministered to him in his imprisonment. An escaped Philippian slave, Paul led this young man to Christ. Onesimus became such an important part of Paul’s life that he didn’t want to send him back to the Philippians.

Let's explore that drama, and maybe yours, too, in our audio devotional today.

KEY PASSAGE:

(Philippians 2:1-8 ESV)

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

American Dehydrated Onion & Garlic Association? It exists! So does the Dill Pickle Club.

What if you pulled together a small group of believers who would make it a priority to be generous? Meet regularly. Tell stories. Not bragging about your generosity, but to inspire everyone in the group. What a great way to fulfill this verse: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV).

It's the Generosity Club.

Today, we'll start in on our theme of 'Generosity."

KEY PASSAGES:

“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV).

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com