A Sea of Generosity

By Brannon Revel

Executive Director of Missional Strategies

The Apostle Paul challenged the church in Corinth to be ready to provide the gift they had been eager to give to the believers in Jerusalem. They were encouraged to give generously and cheerfully, just as God had so generously provided for them. Through this kind of generosity, God’s provision would continue, and the Kingdom of God would keep growing through the church.

Paul explains it this way:

2 Corinthians 9:11–12
“…you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.”

This passage does not promise that we will become rich when we give to the Lord. What it does promise is that as we faithfully and generously distribute what God has entrusted to us, He will continue to provide so that we can remain generous.

Consider two bodies of water in Israel: the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Both are remarkable places, but there is a striking difference between them—life and death.

The Sea of Galilee is full of life, both in and around it. Why? Because water flows into it and out of it through the Jordan River. The Dead Sea, on the other hand, though fascinating to visit and easy to float in, has no life. Water flows in, but nothing flows out.

The same principle applies to generosity. As God’s resources flow into our lives through His provision, they are meant to flow through us. When what God gives is released back into His work, new life continues to spring up through all that He is doing in and through His church.

Something to Pray

Ask the Lord to show you any areas of your giving that may look more like the Dead Sea than the Sea of Galilee.

A Simple Prayer

“Lord, show me where there is no outflow of Your resources through my life. Reveal where I need to be more generous with what You have freely given me by Your grace. Open my heart to release what is Yours back into the work for which You have provided it, so that new life may continue to grow.”

Something to Do

Take time today to reflect on how generously the Lord has poured into your life. He provides resources through finances, time, spiritual gifts, natural abilities, and more—all by His grace.

Then ask yourself honestly: how freely are these resources flowing through you and back into the life-giving work of Christ through His church? Are you living more like the Sea of Galilee—or the Dead Sea?