Why Should You Be Generous?

by Rick Warren — November 29, 2021
From God’s Vision for the Rest of Your Life

“As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 9:13 (NLT)

As a follower of Christ, why is it so important to be generous? Here are three ways it can make an impact on your life:

It makes you happy. Acts 20:35 says, “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (NLT). The world will tell you that you will be happiest when you receive. But Jesus turned that idea around and said that you will be happier when you give than when you receive.

It just makes sense. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:6, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (NIV). You want other people to be generous with you. But do you think that by sowing selfishness, you can reap generosity from God and others? God says that’s not the way life works. There is a law of sowing and reaping. If you want to reap generosity, you have to sow generosity.

It shows the world what God is like. The Bible says, “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ” (2 Corinthians 9:13 NLT).

I’ve found that the best way to learn to be more generous is to remember the incredible generosity of God. Even when life is difficult, you can always find God’s gifts when you look for them. Look at the world you get to live in. Look at the life he gave you. Look at the way he meets your needs.

God is the perfect model of generosity. And when you are generous with others because of God’s generosity toward you, it points others to God.

Talk It Over

  • When were you happier to give something rather than to receive? On the other hand, when did someone else’s generosity bless you?
  • What are some ways that you can sow generosity in your life?
  • In what ways has God been generous with you? How do you show him your thankfulness?

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer?

God’s great generosity is reflected in his gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace, through Jesus, that can get you back into right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to you.

“I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


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