Value Determines Direction III “Compassionately Generous”

2Co 8:1 We want you to know, brothers, about the *grace of God* that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2Co 8:2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 2Co 8:3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, *of their own accord,*

2Co 8:4 *begging* us earnestly for the *favor* of taking part in the relief of the saints—

2Co 8:5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
2Co 8:6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.

2Co 8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
2Co 8:8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

2Co 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2Co 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
2Co 9:9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
2Co 9:10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
2Co 9:11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
2Co 9:12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.
2Co 9:13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,
2Co 9:14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.
2Co 9:15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Compassion-
-Caring for others more than yourself-
Generosity-
-Grace of God on one’s self that overflows to others-

Generosity without compassion is Compulsion
Compassion without generosity is Denying Grace to flow through you to others

Conclusion: -Unlock God’’s potential in your heart through generosity

Life Group Questions

1) What does generous (generosity) mean to you?
- generosity is grace from you to others
- Grace comes only from God (Ephesians 4:7)

2) Do you recognize/identify the grace God gifts you in your life?

3) Is your heart a place of grace?

4) Are you being generous in life?
- In what ways?

5) What is compassion to you?
- compassion is putting others before yourself (Philippians 2:3)
- when compassion is not coupled with generosity, it's about self

6) Is compassion the foundation of your generosity?
- Grace when given from a place of compassion comes full circle in life
- When you are compassionate towards others you are in turn filled with joy from the fullness of God

7) Do you need to be more compassionately generous?