Proverbs, Part 5: If Generosity Was a Crime

Join us this week for the final part in our summer series, Proverbs. Lead Pastor Shane Frazier challenges us to review our level of generosity in comparison to Christs. We hope you enjoy. The Evidence of a Generous Person:   1.    Compassionate   (Proverbs 11:24) One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.   (Proverbs 11:25) A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.   (Proverbs 22:9) The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.     2.    Extravagant   (John 12:3) Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.   (Ephesians 5:1-2) Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.   3.    Driven by Eternity   (Ecclesiastes 3:11) “…He has planted eternity in the human heart”.   (1 Timothy 6:17-19) Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.   (2 Corinthians 6:9) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.   (Genesis 4:2-5) …Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,  but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.   How much faith does it take to bring the leftovers?    How much faith does it require for us to bring our best and first?    If generosity were a crime would there be enough evidence to convict you?