Theme of the Week: Reflecting God’s Generosity
Bible Verse: And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Generosity can be thorny. It’s perhaps safe to say that given the converse, we’d all like to be thought of as generous. No one wants to be Jacob Marley!
This week we’ve looked at generosity: Why, What, and To Whom. The parable of the Good Samaritan has served us well as model for examining those questions. The truth is, we could perhaps spend another several weeks (or months) looking at all the way Scripture calls us to be generous. But it would be strange if we didn’t look to Jesus as our ultimate model of generosity.
In the letter to the Philippians, Paul recites a current hymn about Jesus. It is perhaps something you know well. But in that hymn, we see Jesus answering all three of the generosity questions:
- Why – Jesus gave so that God the father would be glorified (Phil 2:11).
- What – Jesus gave up his divine position and took on the lowly nature of a servant (vv. 6-8).
- To/For Whom – Jesus gave all this up to redeem humanity from the penalty of sin, suffering death on our behalf (v. 8).
Jesus told a parable about generosity that matched what He Himself had done in His redemptive mission.
As we look at the hurting and needy world around us, let’s not look away. Let us offer what we can, when we can to those we meet because we have been loved by God and we want to show that love to those around us.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for what you gave for our sake. Thank you that you did not see anything as more important to keep than giving for us. Help me to understand what it means that you gave to and for me. And help me to reflect your generosity to the world.
Reflection: What can you give up today that will help someone else?
Copyright © 2022 Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada. All rights reserved.
About
