Generous Friends

What enables generosity? Are we generous because we love someone? Are we generous because it’s the right thing to do? Is it a conviction to help someone who can’t do something on their own?

In Acts 2, we read about the incredible generosity of the very first group of Christians. They sold their possessions to give to the poor, they shared food together, and they were generous hosts by inviting others into their homes. Talk about generous friends!

What powered that generosity? Acts tell us that it was their commitment to the teachings of Jesus. They had seen or heard about Jesus’ generous love for them and they were excited to share that generosity with others. In Matthew 6, Jesus himself tells us that we do not need to worry about being provided with what we need because God cares for us. He is our generous Father. With confidence in God looking after us, we can be free to be generous to our friends, even when it costs us.

In 1 John 3:18, the apostle reminds us that we must “not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” When it comes to love and generosity, we can’t just ‘talk the talk’ – we need to ‘walk the walk’.

Questions: 

1. It’s easy to avoid being generous because we’re worried about our own well-being. Why do you think Jesus’ words in Matthew can reassure us about being generous? 
2. Reading Acts, do you think God wants us to give up every single thing we own? Why or why not? Have a think about verse 46. 
3. What’s one way you could be generous to a friend in your life? Make sure to do it the next time you see them.

Prayer:

Generous Father, thank you that I can trust that you will provide me with everything I need. Help me to use that confidence to power my generosity. Please give me a generous heart that looks to serve others before myself. Amen.