Generosity – A Secret to Unlocking Joy 

Generosity – A Secret to Unlocking Joy 

Pastor Troy Martin – Venture Church, CA | 10.12.25

Acts 20:35

35 The Lord Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

2 Corinthians 8:1-12

1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.

2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  

3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,

4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.

5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.

7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.

11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.

12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

Choose Generosity

1. Give yourself to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 8:5

5 They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

Matthew 6:21

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:24

24 You cannot serve both God and money. 

John Bonnell, “If one first gives himself to the Lord, all other giving is easy.”

2. Give .

2 Corinthians 9:7

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:2

2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity

3. Give .

2 Corinthians 8:12 

12 For if the WILLINGNESS is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

4. Give .

2 Corinthians 9:7

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give…

5. Give .

2 Corinthians 9:11

11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:12

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

NOTES

Join us Wednesday @ 7pm
Give Here
Follow Us On Instagram Here