1. GENEROSITY AND MISSION IN ACTS
V J SAMKUTTY

2. Some OT Texts
Sabbath year – ‘there should be no poor among you’ (Deut.15:4)
Jubilee ethics – Lev.25
Job – ‘I was a father to the needy’ (29:16)
‘Whoever is kind to the needy, honours God’ (Prov.14:31)
The weak, fatherless, poor, oppressed, and needy (Ps.82:3-4)
True fasting (Isa.58:6-9)
Requirement of the Lord – justice, love, humility (Mic.6:8)

3. Jesus and Generosity
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect’ (Mt.5:43-45).
Compassionate Samaritan (Lk.10:30-37)
‘As much as they wanted’ (Jn 6:11)
‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’ (Lk.12:15).
Rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16)
Jesus’ generosity and Macedonian example (2 Cor.8:9)
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ (Acts 20:35).
‘Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me’ (Mt 25:45 ).

4. Generosity in Acts
‘Sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need’ (2:45)
Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (2:42)
‘Not a needy person among them’ (4:34-35)
Barnabas (4:36-37) – sold a field he owned
Dorcas (9:38-43) – ‘she was always doing good and helping the poor’
Cornelius (10:2) – ‘gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly’
Collection for Jerusalem – ‘each one according to ability’ (11:29)
Possessions – generosity and charity
Generosity – manifestation of the work of the Holy Spirit

5. Misuse of Possessions in Acts
Judas
Ananias and Sapphira
Simon the magician
Owner of the slave girl
Magicians and businessmen in Ephesus
Misuse of possessions – evil influence

6. Paul and Generosity Macedonian Grace (2 Cor.8)
‘In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity’ (v.2) – generosity in poverty
‘They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability’ (v.3) – generosity beyond ability
‘They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us’ (v.5) – generosity set on priority
‘See that you also excel in this grace of giving’ (v.7) – generosity as ministry
‘Fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God’ (Phil.4:18, cf. Heb.13:16; Acts 10:4 ) – generosity as piety

7. Why Generosity in Mission?
Christological - Christ’s grace
Ethical - response to Christ’s grace
Vocational - call to abound in grace
Practical - real need
Devotional - pleasing sacrifice
Eschatological - giving to the Lord
Pneumatological – expression of the work of the Holy Spirit
Missional - obedience to Great Commission
Holistic – demonstration of Gods’ love

8. ‘For it is disgraceful that, when no Jew ever has to beg, and the impious Galileans [Christians] support not only their own poor but ours as well, all men see that our people lack aid from us. Teach those of the Hellenic faith to contribute to public service of this sort’ (Emperor Julian).
‘The various particulars will change from situation to situation, but generous giving rather than selfish hoarding, accompanied by compassionate commitment to doing what will most help the genuinely needy, must remain a priority for God’s people’ (C. L. Blomberg).