Gospel Generosity
Paul and I have just returned from a few days visiting another church in New Zealand. We went to see some of the ministry initiatives they have developed to reach people with the good news of Jesus. It was a great joy to spend time with brothers and sisters who share our love for Christ, treasure his word, and long to make him known.
What struck us most was their gospel generosity.
They gave us generous amounts of their time. They freely shared their resources. They are even considering partnering with us - at real cost to their own short-term and medium-term ministry plans.
What makes people this generous?
It comes from a deep clarity and conviction about what really matters: Jesus and his kingdom. That matters more than our personal preferences, more than what is convenient in the moment, and even more than what might benefit our own church in the short term.
This kind of gospel generosity is rare. In fact, Paul commends the Philippians for being almost alone in this sort of partnership:
“Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:15–19)
My prayer is that we, as a church and as individuals, would be so captivated by Jesus and his kingdom that we joyfully embrace this kind of radical generosity. That we would delight in giving things away so that more people might be saved and the gospel might bear fruit - even on trees outside of City on a Hill.
Grace and peace,
Andrew