Session 8
Where does generosity come from?
From 2 Chronicles: A 28-Day Devotional
Imagine how it would feel to experience forgiveness from someone you are certain will never forgive you. The friend you gossiped about. The spouse you cheated on. The parent or child you pushed away and thought would never speak to you again. If that person wanted to restore the relationship, how would you respond?
Chances are you would be so grateful you would be willing to invest a lot of time, energy, and money into the relationship.
That is how the Israelites responded to God in 2 Chronicles 31. After decades of worshiping idols and rebelling against God, the Israelites had finally returned to Him. After experiencing God’s forgiveness and celebrating their first Passover in decades, the Israelites were moved to extravagant generosity.
King Hezekiah rebuilt the temple and reinstated the practice of tithing — giving 10 percent of your income back to God. But the people didn’t tithe out of obligation. They tithed out of gratitude, and they went above and beyond the tithe. When Hezekiah asked the priests about the large piles of contributions, Azariah responded, “‘Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over’” (2 Chronicles 31:10).
Because the Israelites experienced God’s forgiveness and power, they couldn’t help but be generous. The same is true for us. When we encounter God, our natural reaction is generosity. We don’t tithe or give out of obligation, but out of a love and gratefulness toward God. Because He has given us much, we freely give much in return.
Reflect:
- What’s one way you’ve experienced God’s forgiveness and power in your life?
- How does that experience affect your attitude about generosity?
- What financial next step is God asking you to take? Unsure where to start? Check out www.newspring.cc/finances for help taking your next step in honoring God with your money.