The Joy Of Generosity Series

: The Joy of Generosity: Part One

Text: Malichi 3:10, 2 Cor. 9:7

Introduction:

God’s economy runs on joy, not guilt. Paul reminds us that giving isn’t a tax, it’s a treasure—a chance to reflect the heart of a generous God. The Lord isn’t tallying how much you give; He’s looking at the attitude behind it.

You see, God doesn’t twist arms or guilt-trip wallets. He loves the giver who smiles while giving, who sees every offering as a celebration, not an obligation. True generosity bubbles up from a grateful heart, not from a grim sense of duty.

When you give cheerfully, you’re not losing something—you’re investing in eternity. And the best part? God loves to pour joy back into those who give with open hands and open hearts.

The Two Seas of Israel

In the land of Israel, there are two main bodies of water: the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. They’re both fed by the same Jordan River, yet they are completely different.

The Sea of Galilee is full of life. Its waters are fresh and teeming with fish. Villages, trees, and farms surround it because it gives freely—water flows in and water flows out.

But the Dead Sea, though fed by that same river, is lifeless. Why? Because it never lets the water flow out. It only receives and never gives. The result is stagnation and death.

Generosity works the same way. When we give—our time, our resources, our kindness—life flows through us. Joy springs up in our hearts because we’re part of something living, moving, and God-filled. But when we hold everything for ourselves, our hearts grow stagnant, and joy begins to dry up.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The “blessing” is not just for the one who receives—it’s the joy and fullness that comes to the giver.

When we give, we become like the Sea of Galilee—alive, generous, and flowing with the goodness of God.

I. From Obligation to Overflow: The Joy of Grace Giving

Giving has always been part of God’s plan for His people. But how we give—and why we give—has changed under the New Covenant. In the Old Testament, giving was a requirement; in the New Testament, it becomes a response.

God isn’t after our money—He’s after our hearts.

A. Giving Under the Law — The Principle of the Tithe

Text: Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.”

In the days of Malachi, God’s people were commanded to give 10%—a tithe—of their income to support the temple, priests, and ministry. It was an act of obedience and a test of trust.

• The tithe was the floor, not the ceiling.

• It reminded Israel that everything belonged to God.

• God promised blessing in return: “I will open the windows of heaven.”

Key thought: The tithe taught discipline in giving—but it was tied to law.

When the people withheld their tithes, it wasn’t seen merely as financial neglect — it was viewed as unfaithfulness to God Himself.

1. It Was Considered Robbing God Scripture: “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings.” — Malachi 3:8–9

2. It Led to a Withheld Blessing Scripture: “You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.” — Malachi 3:9 The “curse” wasn’t arbitrary punishment; it reflected the natural consequence of breaking covenant with God.

3. It Weakened the Worship and Ministry of Israel- The Levites, who depended on the tithes for sustenance, often had to abandon their temple duties and work in the fields to survive.

4. It Reflected a Loss of Trust- Tithing was always meant to be a statement of faith, not a tax. When Israel stopped tithing, it revealed that they trusted their own hands more than God’s promise to provide. The deeper repercussion was spiritual drift — a heart growing cold toward God’s goodness.

B. Giving Under Grace — The Joy of the Heart

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:7 “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.”

When Christ fulfilled the law, giving changed from a rule to a relationship.

Now, giving isn’t measured by a percentage—it’s measured by the posture of the heart.

• Grace giving is voluntary: “what you decide in your heart.”

• Grace giving is joyful: “not reluctantly.”

• Grace giving is personal: “for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Key thought: Under grace, generosity is not demanded—it’s inspired.

Here’s the key insight: If you don’t want to give, money, time, support, something is lacking in your faith. In the OT they had to give. In the NT the Holy Spirit gives us the desire to give.