GENEROSITY based on 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
When I was a young minister, I really became scarred by sermons on tithing. I grew up in a church tradition where the principles of tithing were hammered into my head. If I wasn’t giving ten percent, I was in sin! This belief became even more solidified when I had to produce my 1040 to verify my income, so they could match to make sure my giving was equal to at least ten percent!
Instead of what I experienced when I was younger, what the Bible encourages is a spirit of generosity. Generosity goes far beyond finances; it extends to every sphere of our living (our time, our activities, investment in church, family, etc.). How should we demonstrate a spirit of generosity?
- With an open hand (2 Cor 9:6). We will reap in accordance with what we sow. If we are stingy in life with our resources, then we will have a meager spiritual yield. But if we are generous, then we will see spiritual fruit!
- With a healthy heart (2 Cor 9:7). We should not give reluctantly, with great pain and anguish in a way that draws attention to ourselves. Nor should we give under force or compulsion, being required to give of our resources, including financially. Rather, God loves a cheerful (or hilarious) giver! When we are generous of all that we have been given because we want to be generous and love being generous, then our heart is in the right place! Our gift then becomes an expression of gratefulness back to God.
- With a thankful heart (2 Cor 9:11). Generosity is our way of expressing thanksgiving to God for all he has done. Those who are thankful tend to have a more positive outlook on life. When things are going difficult, they are more likely to stand with their faith intact! But when we are thankful, we have more of a desire to be generous so others can share in our joy!
How does God respond to our generosity?
- He extends his hand of blessing (2 Cor 9:8). This is not a prosperity gospel! There is no guarantee of financial or material blessing in response to generosity. If so, then are we truly being generous? Rather, the blessing is to walk in the favor and protection of the Almighty God. In other words, we have God’s approval! When we have God’s approval, then doors begin to open in our lives. Our needs are met, and we will find our hands fruitful!
- He increases our influence (2 Cor 9:9-10). We have more opportunities to make a difference in the community we are planted in. This is true because generosity opens doors and hearts! People trusted the early church because they were so generous, even when they were under fire for their beliefs!
- He provides us with more opportunities to be generous (2 Cor 9:11). Those who are faithful with little will be entrusted with much. When we show ourselves faithful, God trusts us with more opportunities to continue to show his faithfulness!
Generosity is the best way to live. Will you have a generous spirit in every sphere?
Questions for Reflection
1) What is your attitude toward generosity?
2) What is your current level of investment in God? The church? Your community?
3) What are some ways you can increase your generosity over the next few months?
4) Are you driven more by thanksgiving or complaint?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Emma Eckard will be sharing the sermon!
Daily Bible Readings for October 31 – November 6
October 31: Romans 13:1-7 How can we serve authority?
November 1: Romans 13:8-14 How can we serve others?
November 2: James 2:1-13 What should be our attitude when we serve?
November 3: James 2:14-25 How vital is service to faith?
November 4: 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 How could the Corinthians serve the people of God?
November 5: Philippians 4:4-7 How does thankfulness play a role in spiritual peace?
November 6: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 How does thankfulness help us discern God’s will?
This Week’s Events:
Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4–Beaver Creek Cares
Sunday, November 5–Daylight Savings Ends; turn the clock back one hour!
Sunday, November 5–First Sunday Breakfast & Offering (CRU ministries)
Monday, November 6–Timothy Bible Study @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Friday, November 10–Community Movie Night @ 7 pm, Encanto
Sunday, November 19–Stewardship Sunday
Sunday, November 26–Hanging of the Greens & Advent begins!
Announcements:
Service– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
This month’s spiritual discipline is service. Service starts with the right heart, not doing good deeds for recognition, but because we love God.
You have two challenges this month. First, sign up for at least one service project, either at the church or in the community, to be completed between now and the end of the year. Second, submit to pastor Ryan at least one service idea or impactful way we can make a difference in the community before the year is done.
BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!
If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office or leave in the offering plate your birth date so we do not miss anyone!
Movie Night
The next community movie night will take place Friday, November 10 @ 7 pm. We will show the movie Encanto. Popcorn and ice cream provided. Please share with your friends!
Social Media
Beaver Creek has updated its social media page. Please follow and share so as many people can hear what is going on at Beaver Creek! You can find the pages as follows:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beavercreekchurchva/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeaverCreekChurchVA/
Beaver Creek Cares
Beaver Creek Cares will take place on Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4. We will meet for dinner at 6 pm on Friday, then have a Vespers service. The youth and friends will shop for Operation Christmas Child in the evening. We will gather Saturday morning for breakfast around 9 am, assemble the shoe boxes, sort and package the donations for Strength in Peers, assemble the gifts for our local teachers, assemble the exam kits for our college students, and clean up trash. At 2 pm we will gather at White Birch for bingo.
I have attached the list of donations for Strength in Peers. If you are unable to shop, please drop by donations for either Winnie or Diane, and they will go shopping on your behalf. Diane and Winnie go shopping tomorrow, so today is the last day to drop off monetary donations. Also, the index cards for exam kit items are available in the narthex. All items need to be turned in by Friday Vespers; otherwise, the missing items will be purchased.
If Beaver Creek Cares has to change in response to the circumstances below, I will send out an email and let you know.
Backpacks
Misti has placed a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board to assist with the backpacks. If you are willing to help, please sign up this week!
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. Contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Phyllis Simmons (children’s story) if you want to serve.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH & NURSERY
Children’s Church will meet this Sunday, November 5. Please remember to bring a jacket!
Nursery
The Christian Education Team is looking for six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour and church hour. There will be a signup sheet in the back. If you would be willing to volunteer to allow our families to be able to participate in worship, please let one of the members of Christian Education know (Theresa Eckard, Scott McAvoy, Becky Whitmore), or sign up on the signup sheet!
Sight & Sound Interest
The Fidelis class is looking at sponsoring a church-wide trip to Sight & Sound in 2024. But before the class can investigate bus prices and total cost, we want to gauge the true interest in the church. We have had several express interest and are trying to find the best package for us as a church body. If you are interested and would like to be considered for this one-day event next year, please contact the office or let Pastor Ryan know in the next few weeks.
Four Ways to Give!
1) Mail your tithe to the church office
2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm
3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving
4) Place in the offering plate on Sunday!
Prayer Needs
Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller & Carolyn Wine
Keep Evy Kaye’s friend Mary Beth and Tami Plaugher’s friend Vicki as they both are wrestling with cancer.
Eddie Baker (health)
Terri Burkholder (health)
Norma Cunningham (recovery)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
Bill Eckard (hospice)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Christy Lazer (emergency surgery)
Ruth Luce (health)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (hospital)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (recovery)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Shelby Simmons (foot)
Roger Simmons (recovery)
Crystal Smith (health)
Norma Suter (recovery)
Kenny Wheelbarger (recovery from injury)
Whitmore family (house)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Cindy Wittig (health)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church