Rev. Roger Baker took our service last Sunday based on 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 in which Paul urges the congregation to support the impoverished church in Jerusalem with a willing heart. After prayers of praise, requesting forgiveness and renewal Keith & Jill Harrison read the texts for us.
Generosity, a response to thankfulness, was Roger’s theme, quoting Romans 13 v 8– our continuing debt to love one another.
Generosity is an act of faith, trusting in God’s provision for our needs so we can give freely. It is an investment. Sharing our resources in money, time or talents we receive abundantly in return according to our cheerful giving. A generous attitude enriches others and ourselves when we are open to being changed. It indicates a right relationship with God. Meeting the needs of others can lead them to faith as they experience our love. Generosity is a response to God’s amazing grace, his supreme gift of Jesus Christ sacrificed at great cost.
After time for reflection on our own attitude and practice Roger offered prayers for the ungenerous and their suffering victims. We responded with “gracious God, may generosity be my life and way.” We sang Great is thy faithfulness and Roger gave us a blessing.