“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

Acts 2:42-45

Unity in generosity. As we read about the inception of the Church, we find the believers immediately sharing what they had to meet the needs of those around them. Isn’t it fascinating that among things like being devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer, and meeting in the temple courts, Luke included their generosity as an identifying mark of the Church? 

When you think about the identifying marks of not only our local churches, but our Movement as a whole, what are those key characteristics which define us? Certainly characteristics like our commitment to Scripture, holiness, unity, fellowship, and global missions would fill our lists; but what about generosity? The early church was united, not just in their place of worship or their commitment to the Gospel, but to the physical, practical needs of their brothers and sisters.

This generosity isn’t something that just happened; it is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in the lives of the believers. The Apostle Paul encouraged this work as he journeyed on his missionary trips. Throughout his travels, he saw how God has a way of multiplying the generosity of the Church. When God’s people are willing to stand united in all things, we find that we can never reach the limits of what God can do through the meager gifts we have to offer Him and each other. 

But why should our unity drive us to generosity? Let’s look at two of Paul’s instructions toward generosity in his letters:

We owe it to each other to be united in generosity

“Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.”

Romans 15:25-27

It can be tough to hear that anyone is owed the things which we have rightly earned, especially our money and possessions. What Paul is saying to the Romans, however, is not that the poor in Jerusalem have a right to the Roman church’s possessions, but instead a right to their generosity. Paul knows that we have nothing, apart from that which God has blessed us with. And since the Jewish believers in Jerusalem shared their spiritual blessing—that is, Jesus—the Gentile believers should be united with them in sharing their material blessings.

We owe it to our brothers and sisters across the Movement to be united in this way. Prayer is good and powerful, but unity is more than just talking. We are called to love in truth AND action. Just as we share the spiritual blessings of the women and men who toiled faithfully to lay the foundation on which we now stand, may we also be united in the material blessings which we now enjoy because of God’s blessing.

We are to be prepared to be united in generosity

“Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.”

1 Corinthians 16:1-3

Unity-driven generosity is not something that happens by accident; it is a mark of the Holy Spirit through self-discipline and sacrifice. Paul instructs the Corinthian church to begin saving for the offering so that when he gets there, the gift can be put to work. Paul knew that generosity requires preparation. 

We have all been caught in the spot where an unexpected offering plate is being passed, and our wallets are empty. Our hearts may be in a generous mood, but because we were not prepared, we have nothing to give. This preparation can begin in so many places:

• An act of self-denial—doing with less so that someone else can do with more;
• An attitude of intentionality—setting aside now so that you can give later;
• A prayerful spirit—asking that God might bless your neighbor through you;

In whatever way God has called you to be prepared, may we be found ready when the occasion for generosity arises. 

God continues to call our Movement to be united in generosity. The One Thousand Gifts campaign provides an opportunity for us to enter this season of newness and transition united in the belief that God is not yet finished working through the Church of God. The One Thousand Gifts campaign is not an emergency effort, but an act of preparation as we experience the fullness of God’s blessings, working together to bring the Kingdom to life on earth as it is in Heaven. By allowing generosity to be an expression of our unity, we are committing to the truth that we owe each other not just prayer, but the tangible blessings of our Lord. 

May the Church of God reflect the unity of that first church, united in all things, including generosity. 

Sowing and Reaping

What we sow, we reap. What a delicate and interesting concept that we must carefully practice. There are over 30 verses in scripture (some scholars say close to 50) that point to the idea of sowing and reaping. Galatians 6:6-10 is one of these scriptures that comes to mind:  

“Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:6-10

While we can’t sow things with the expectation that they must be returned to us how we want them to be, scripture does consistently speak to the reality that what we sow, we will reap. For example, if we sow kindness, we will reap and experience kindness in return—maybe not like we hoped, but it will come back and often be better than we expected. Our sowing must be out of a place of generosity focused on others and not on the expectation of getting something in return. 

We see this in the lives of many of the spiritual giants in scripture. Look at Ruth: there was no expectation in society to stay with her mother-in-law after the passing of her husband and her brother-in-law. Yet, she sowed love, care, family, and so much more to this woman she became connected to by marriage. Out of this generous heart, God took all that she sowed and didn’t just provide for basic needs, but He also provided Ruth with a new husband and a secure life.

Look at Paul and Silas: their ministry was bold, and they never wavered from praising God and being men of integrity. What they sowed into their ministry may have landed them in some tough situations, but their continued faithfulness and praise of the Father lead to lives being changed and transformed. What was reaped was beyond what they expected. 

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 says, 

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

2 Corinthians 9:10-11

There is an element of obedience and trust that comes with the idea of sowing and reaping. As we read these verses in Galatians and 2 Corinthians, there is a feeling that God calls us to trust him to be faithful in helping that which we plant to bear a harvest. In fact, there is almost of feeling that we should be planting and sowing out of obedience and with anticipation to see the harvest God will provide.   

A young family with a passion for foster care found themselves in need of a new house, and doors of opportunity were just not opening. When passing through a particular neighborhood, the husband felt a nudge—like God was calling him to pray over one of the homes along the street, even though he didn’t know the people living in it. Obediently, the husband began to pray, and even called upon his family and close friends to join him in prayer—not knowing why, but trusting the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Imagine the surprise when upon meeting the owners of the home, the husband found out his prayers were covering the family in a difficult season of their lives—and they were also sensing a pull to sell their house! In the process of laying the hearts of people at His feet, God worked a miracle that ended with the unexpected harvest of a new house in which the family could grow and kids in need would find love, shelter, and healing.

As we pray together for the opportunities that come with the One Thousand Gifts campaign, it is exciting to consider what our movement might reap as we generously sow in faith as one body! We aren’t giving to this campaign with the expectation that God is going to do a specific thing. We are trusting, however, that through our generosity at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we will see a harvest that will bring Him glory. May we wait with great anticipation, because surely it will be greater than we can even imagine!

It seemed to be a fitting solution at the end of another long day…

“As evening approached, the disciples came to [Jesus] and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’”

Matthew 14:15

But, Jesus had another solution in mind. Oftentimes, where we see scarcity, Jesus sees an opportunity to provide abundance. And He often provides it in an area of our lives where we think we’ve achieved mastery, but then we’re humbled once again by His provision. So, too, was the case with these fishermen who accompanied Him in His earthly ministry. If there was one thing they had mastered, it was their ability to catch fish.

Luke records another miraculous encounter which tested the disciples’ faith:

“When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. […] Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid, from now on you will fish for people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

Luke 5:4-11

In the paradoxical way of the Kingdom of God, Jesus turned the catch into a calling. And so He also calls us to anticipate His abundance in the midst of our seeming scarcity.

Immeasurably more. It’s a Kingdom principle we see throughout Scripture and one we’re intended to experience in our own lives in Christ Jesus. When have you expected too little and yet received more from God than you feel you deserve? Multiplication reflects the very heart of God as He desires to provide for you in a variety of ways. The Apostle Paul acknowledges this reality in Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

What are you in need of today spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally or even monetarily? God has already made provision for your need as you continue to trust and walk with Him. Could it be that God wants to provide immeasurably more than your imagination is even allowing you to ask for?

The disciples on that Galilean hillside undoubtedly were short-sighted in their search for a solution. But Jesus already had in mind what he was going to do. With the meager lunch of a young boy, Jesus gave thanks for the two fish and five loaves and brought miraculous multiplication to feed the thousands that day. Clearly, He did immeasurably more than any of His followers had expected, asked for, or even imagined. And Jesus continues to perform the miraculous on your behalf.

One Thousand Gifts is an opportunity for us as a movement to trust God to do immeasurably more than all we might ask for or imagine. To take what we have to offer, what we have to give, and multiply it to meet the needs of key ministries within the Church of God: equipping our leaders, serving our churches, and allowing us to reach those who are far from God. Will you humbly and faithfully follow God’s leading as you steward the resources He’s entrusted to you? Second Corinthians 9 reinforces the principle of sowing and reaping as it encourages us to reflect the giving nature of God in our own actions:

God loves a cheerful giver…And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

So, too, it is with each of us within the Body of Christ!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

Together, may we follow Jesus and in all things trust Him to do immeasurably more!