Generosity is a KEY!
- Rebecca A. Lane
- May 22
- 10 min read
Updated: May 29
The Key of Generosity
What does Generosity mean?
It’s a noun which is, an identifiable fact.
the quality of being kind and generous.
"I was overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and neighbours"
What does Generous mean?
It’s an adjective, a describing word. But notice how it describes an action. Remember that God is all about action.
(of someone) willing to give help or support, esp. more than is usual or expected
Matthew 6:24-34 NKJV
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”.
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his [k]stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jesus is not being negative here. He’s encouraging us to trust the Father and live freely today. Free from worry so we’re free to be generous.
Notice Jesus says - You cannot serve God and mammon.
Greek - G3126
Word:μαμμωνᾶς
Transliteration:mammōnas
Phonetic:mam-mo-nas'
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Definition:
1. mammon
2. treasure
3. riches (where it is personified and opposed to God)
God is not against wealth itself. He is wealthy, Abraham was wealthy and King David was wealthy. The issue is the love of wealth, the reliance on it instead of Him. Wealth is a thing, an inanimate thing at that. God is alive.
In preparation for this teaching lesson, the Lord laid a Word upon my heart.
“The war is coming, the war is coming…what are you going to do ... .what you going to do…the war is coming ... .Armageddon is near as the Kingdom of God is nearer…the war is coming…what are you going to do?”
He reminded me that people in His church are hoarding, hiding and sitting on what they deem will be valuable in the elusive end times. My friend, can I encourage you, if that is you, to hear the Word of the Lord? Armageddon is the fight for people’s souls. His love empowers all keys to the Kingdom of God. God’s Word says, “Perfect Love Casts out ALL Fear!” (1 John 4:18). The battle is on. The battle is on for your mind, heart and the truth.
One of the most powerful keys in His Kingdom is the key of GENEROSITY. It is one of the greatest tools or weapons to win the war for souls. LOVE is the MASTER KEY in the Kingdom of JESUS!
Today, we’re going to look at the Key of Generosity. Let me be clear, though. Generosity is a key IN the Kingdom of God. It is NOT the key TO the Kingdom of God. What am I saying? We can NOT enter God’s Kingdom through a life of generosity or any other good virtue. We can ONLY enter God’s Kingdom through Jesus Himself. God sent Him to us as the ultimate sign of His generosity. Why? To save everyone who will believe and follow Him. Jesus is the KEY TO the Kingdom of God.
Generosity is a key IN God’s Kingdom. By key, I mean an important part, it’s key, it’s normal in God’s Kingdom. When we let that part of God’s character out, He can use it to unlock the hard hearts of so many people. Remember, at the moment, God’s Kingdom on Earth is within those who believe, accept and follow King Jesus. He lives in our hearts by His Spirit. It’s His generosity we need to release into this world? Why? So people can see and taste that the Lord is good (Ps. 34:8).
In God’s Kingdom, the Lord reigns. He is a good God, it is a wonderful place. It is where every person is called to be. It is why we exist. God is not like any human king, who fails often and only handles what man can handle. Jesus loves all His people personally and individually. He wants everyone in the world to be a part of His Kingdom, now on Earth and then forevermore. It’s why He came to take away the sins of the world on the cross (John 1:29).
What is love?
1 Corinthians 13 (NKJV) describes it as the GREATEST gift.
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Jesus said all of the commandments can be summed up with LOVE. Love God;
Love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40).
Yes. Generosity is a key in the Kingdom of God. It is a gift from God. God is generous and He desires His people to likewise be generous. It’s a wonderful way to love.
Godly generosity does the following:
Reflects God’s character;
Strengthens relationships;
Fuels gratitude;
Reaps eternal rewards;
Sets a high standard; and
A powerful way to participate in God’s mission.
God is looking to encourage and teach His children to give joyfully and happily and to have the desire to bless others.
Generosity is a spiritual law that enacts the law of multiplication. It blesses those in need and spreads the good news of the Gospel. It’s a wonderful way to reflect the character of Jesus.
In Isaiah 64:6 we read that OUR righteousness is nothing but a stench or filthy rags! For it is not through our efforts that we are generous. It is ONLY by the power and will of the HOLY SPIRIT that we can please God. Jesus is the one who illuminates the darkness and gives us the power to use the keys. For He dwells and lives in us who believe.
How do we access the power of the Holy Spirit? By our unwavering faith, our trust in the creator of the universe. God says that without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). Why? Because we can’t live and do what He calls us to do without Him. We can’t do anything of eternal value alone, it won’t last. Jesus says so Himself.
John 15:5 NKJV
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Because we are weak, our generosity will eventually falter and either cease or come from the wrong heart and motivation. God knows this. We need Him. In our weakness, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Throughout scripture, generosity is discussed, described and illustrated. The character of Jesus is shown in the following examples found in the Bible.
King David poured out gifts from the National treasury and his personal reserves. (1 Chronicles 29:1-5);
Dorcas (Tabitha) was known for making clothes for the needy (Acts 9:36-42);
The Macedonian church’s generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2-5). This scripture highlights that giving is sacrificial. Give out of your lack!
Ruth’s loyalty and generosity (Ruth 1-4). She was generous with and toward Naomi;
Abraham’s hospitality (Genesis 18:1-8). Open your heart and home to others;
The widow of Zarepath’s trust (1 Kings 17:7-16). Christian generosity is a response to faith. There is always a reason not to give;
Zaccheaus’ repentance (Luke 19:1-10). Joy caused generosity to jump out. Restitution is important;
The Shunammite woman’s service to God’s messenger (2 Kings 4:8-37). Giving to people is actually a gift to God;
A little boy’s lunch (John 6:5-13). What little you have will multiply by faith to bless many.
Joseph of Arimathea’s gift in death (Matthew 27:57-60); and
The widow’s offering (Mark 12:41-44). Your generosity matters, no matter the size of the gift.
The Apostle Paul quotes Jesus, saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Modern-day psychology proves giving leads to longer and lasting happiness and well-being than receiving.
Proverbs 22:9 NKJV
“A generous man will himself be blessed for he shares his food with the poor”.
Who knows what a fulcrum is? We had to look it up so for those like us, we’ll explain.
A fulcrum is the supporting point of a lever. You probably encountered your first fulcrum on the playground — right underneath the see-saw. In the 17th century, a fulcrum referred to any general prop or support. So, it’s pivotal to move things.
In The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn wrote, “Giving is a giant lever positioned on the fulcrum of this world allowing us to move mountains in the next world. Because we give, eternity will be different – for others and for us.”
It is a tool or a weapon that binds and loosens things in heaven and then comes to pass upon the Earth. It is a powerful force that brings God's dominion into Man’s world.
THE KEY TO GENEROSITY IS SACRIFICE NOT GIVING!
Don’t panic, this is a good sacrifice, a holy sacrifice, not a religious activity or ceremony. It’s seeking God and His Kingdom first. It’s following His ways and walking with Him, not the world or ourselves.
We can be generous with our finances, time, talents, actions and energy. We do it by giving them for God to use in building His Kingdom here on Earth. When we do this, we allow God to power up the Key of Generosity through us. That’s a key to people’s hearts, softening them for God’s eternal truth and salvation. When the people of God are generous, it stands out in this world. It will draw them to King Jesus, who loves them too.
God made each of us and gifted each one for this exact purpose. We have different interests, skills and talents. God gave them to us to use generously.
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
We should walk in them. We should desire it.
Who do you think gave you your Godly heart’s desires?
Psalm 20 New King James Version
20 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.
Generosity in the Kingdom of God is a KEY that ADVANCES the Kingdom of God. It is a tool by which the enemy is defeated.
God was so generous when He gave Himself as a sacrifice.
John 3:16 NKJV
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
The results of the spiritual law (Generosity) in action: God received many sons and daughters when Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice for all creation (Hebrews 2). In addition, Jesus plundered the dark forces of hell. He won the mighty battle of Armageddon and was restored to the Father’s right hand. God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
What do we use keys for? Yes, to lock and unlock things. Imagine you were moving to a new house. It’s a beautiful home but you had to travel a great distance to get there. You’re okay with that because you know it’ll be worth it. You arrive, it’s stunning, above expectations. Beautiful, inviting and secure. Only then do you realise you don’t have the key to get in. You’re a tad disappointed but you have a ring full of keys. Surely one of them will work.
You may have the key of being a good person (by your definition of course). What about the key of self-reliance (that’s a shiny one)? Or the key of Pride (you made that one yourself). You try all of them but it’s no use.
Life is a journey we all take, it can be long (at least feel like it), it’s really not. When it’s over nothing of us or our own work will get us into God’s Kingdom. There’s no option of going back, there’s absolutely no breaking in. There is only ONE key into God’s Kingdom, ONE. Jesus Himself. He is the key and for those who know Him and He knows them, He will can and will open the door.
Have you tasted just a little of God’s generosity today, dripping in the streets of His Kingdom? Have you yet to receive the generous gift of Jesus for eternal salvation? The gift is free, acceptance is your free will choice. You can enter with Him today.
Comments